Observations of the behavior of birds during the initial period of the night migration flight. Bird flight directions Bird watching
4.3.1. Visual ornithological observation at aerodromes is carried out by the launch controllers. These observations are carried out during takeoffs and approaches to aircraft landing (only during daylight hours) within the aircraft takeoff and approach sectors. The runway and the adjacent airfield territory are especially carefully examined.
4.3.2. When birds are detected on the aircraft flight path or close to it, the launch dispatcher informs the aircraft crew performing takeoff or landing approach.
4.3.3. When a large flock of birds (several dozen individuals) is found, information about them is immediately transmitted to the flight director.
4.3.4. In exceptional cases, when at the airfield there is an extremely high concentration of birds posing a serious danger to aircraft flights (tens and hundreds of birds gather in flocks on or near the runway, large flocks of birds fly through the runway or approaches to it for several minutes) , and as a result, the flight director decides to temporarily suspend flights, the launch controller conducts more careful bird observations and records the results in the logbook (see Appendix 2) in order to accumulate information about the occurrence of the above ornithological situation at the aerodrome and develop appropriate preventive measures.
The journal indicates:
Date (day, month, year) and time (local maternity) of observation of dangerous concentrations of birds at the aerodrome;
The area of the airfield where the concentration of birds was observed;
The total number of birds detected (recorded with rounding up to tens, hundreds, thousands);
The most frequently observed gradation of the size of flocks: small (less than 10 individuals) or large (10 or more individuals);
The most frequently noted species of birds (if possible) or gradation of bird size: small birds (the size of a sparrow, starling and smaller), medium birds (the size of a dove, seagull, duck, hawk, rook, etc.), large birds (the size of a goose, stork, eagle and larger);
The prevailing direction of bird migration (the direction indicating where the birds flew is taken as the direction of bird migration. It is recorded in points: C, C-B, B, SE, etc.);
The altitude interval in which most birds flew (recorded with an accuracy of tens and hundreds of meters).
4.4. Radar monitoring of the ornithological situation
4.4.1. Radar control over the ornithological situation in the aircraft landing approach sector and reporting about it to aircraft crews in the air is carried out by landing controllers (when landing radars are operating).
4.4.2. To monitor the ornithological situation, the landing dispatcher (DPS) uses the landing radar indicator screen.
4.4.3. Radar monitoring of the ornithological situation is carried out in parallel with radar tracking of the aircraft movement (when the landing radars are operating).
4.4.4. When detecting on the indicator screen marks from birds located on the flight path of the aircraft or near them, the dispatchers notify the corresponding crew about this.
4.4.5. The dispatchers who come on duty are obliged to familiarize themselves with the information about the bird flares detected during the previous duty.
4.4.6. Radar control of bird migrations is carried out in accordance with the Technology of Operations of dispatchers of the GA traffic service (1987). Recognition of echoes from birds on the radar screen is carried out taking into account their distinctive features(see Appendix 3).
Each scientific research has its own ways and methods, more or less numerous, which with different speed lead to the goal. This equally depends both on the experience accumulated in this field of science and on the subject of research.
In the same way, in the science of bird migration, according to the variety of tasks facing it, there are various directions of research. If we consider each separately, then they seem to have little in common. But all of them can, nevertheless, be reduced to two main forms: observation and experiment, which are linked by various transitions.
We have already seen that the development of the science of bird migration went from random observation of phenomena to the systematic registration of observed facts and then grew into attempts to analyze faunistic material. A big step forward was the introduction of ringing as an auxiliary method for the study of avifenology. Finally, physiological methods of research began to be applied, which were supposed to provide answers to basic questions, which until then had been considered only speculatively.
Such a historical change in research directions, however, does not mean at all that one of them should have been replaced by another because it is outdated in the light of new knowledge. For the most part, it turned out to be necessary to use all these methods, which have not lost their significance to this day. Below we will get acquainted with the scope and significance of these methods, with the issues for the solution of which they are used, and with their practical application.
As the first research method, we will consider field observations of the migration of birds.
Field observations acquire value as a method of scientific research only when they are carried out systematically and according to a well-thought-out plan. To do this, it is necessary to make accurate records of the species, give at least approximate figures for the number of birds, establish the altitude and direction of flight, and characterize the weather. In addition, one should try to note the first appearance of migratory birds, an increase and decrease in the number of migratory birds, and the end of the migration in certain types in a specific area. Based on this data, flight calendars are compiled for different types birds, for which averages can be calculated over the next few years. Such flight calendars in confined, ecologically closed areas, under normal seasonal weather conditions, accurately reflect the progress of the flight in time. Weigold (1930) developed an extensive flight calendar in the form of graphical diagrams for Heligoland Island, covering a ten-year period and almost all bird species encountered there (Fig. 2). For other observation points, similar calendars have also been drawn up, at least for certain species of birds and for a shorter time period (for example, for Rossitten and the Kursk Spit or Wassenaar in Holland). In any other locality, such data are much more difficult to obtain than on Helgoland. When comparing tables, curves or graphical charts, you can draw valuable conclusions about the characteristics of flights due to geography, landscape and weather. Further development of this area of work is to combine observations of the flight, carried out simultaneously in larger areas by specially trained ornithologists, who form a network of observers working under a single leadership. As already mentioned, Linnaeus organized such a network of observers as early as 1750. Later, many scientists of the last century followed his example. As a result of these observations, a huge amount of material was accumulated, which, however, due to the unequal reliability of the persons who participated in its collection, was of limited value and has hardly been processed until now; Far from complete data are presented in the "Communications of the Committee of Observing Stations of Germany", "Ornithological Journal" ("Journalfur Ornithologie") for 1875-1893. and in the magazine Aquila of the Hungarian Ornithological Center.
Undoubtedly, the greatest success in this regard was achieved by the Hungarian Ornithological Institute, which in 1875-1914. with the help of 120-150 trained observers conducted valuable work and gave information on numerous issues of bird migration in Hungary. So, Schenck, who later became the head of this institute, made maps of the return of various migratory birds. With the help of these maps it is possible to trace the sequence of the annual dispersal of birds depending on climatic conditions and landscape. Similar maps of flights for some areas of South-West Germany and for Switzerland were compiled by Bretscher, who paid special attention to studying the influence of climatic conditions. Cook found that in North America the isopiptesis of the goose roughly correspond to the 35 ° F isotherm. He put this fact in connection with the improvement of nutritional conditions. Later, Southern (1938) compared the isopyptesis of the barn swallow and willow warblers with the data on the distribution of heat in spring (Fig. 4), while Slivinsky (1938) limited himself to depicting the isopyptesis of some bird species. These avifenologicheskie maps originate in part from Middendorf's work "Isopiptesa of Russia", which we have already mentioned above. At the present time, in spite of all kinds of difficulties, networks of observers are also being established, covering vast areas. So, Drost organized such a network for the autumn flight in 1930 throughout the North Sea region and received valuable information about the details of the flight at various points on the coast. In the fall of 1929, Schütz led the network of observers in the less extensive, but extremely important for bird migration area of the Kursk Bay. At the same time, it was possible to establish an amazing, but very characteristic distribution of flyways for the given area. Dutch observers also worked in the same direction in 1933, and were able to obtain valuable information about flights in the western part of the North Sea and in its individual regions.
Of course, not all areas are equally suitable for observing bird migration. In some of them, it is barely noticeable, while other places are downright foci of bird migration, and observations in these areas promise to give very valuable results. These areas are usually distinguished by a special geographic location (mountain passes, mountains, places rich in lakes, sea coasts, river beds). Therefore, in such points ornithologists of many countries organized permanent observation stations, which later became centers of research work on the study of bird migration. This applies primarily to Germany, where both bird stations, Helgoland and Rossitten, located in the middle of the flyways, have played an extremely important role in the study of bird migration.
The first ornithological station in Germany was founded in 1901 in the small fishing village of Rossitten on the Kursk Spit, which stretches in a slightly convex arc from Klaipeda to the south towards the Zemland (Kaliningrad) Peninsula. Its length is 97 km, and the width is on average only a few hundred meters. Tinemann appreciated the importance of this narrow spit, located between the Baltic Sea and the Kursk Bay, for the migration of birds, and pointed out the unusually favorable opportunities of this place for observation and research. Then the German Ornithological Society began to monitor the activities of this ornithological station (which at first was just an observation post) and appointed Tinemann its head. In 1929 he was replaced by Kheirot and his permanent deputy, Schütz. The latter remained in Rossitten almost until the end of the Second World War. Since 1923, the ornithological station has been attached to the Emperor Wilhelm's Society for the Protection of Sciences (Fig. 5) (It should be noted that there is a fundamental difference between the concepts of “ornithological station” (Vogelwarte) - a scientific station for the study of bird migration - and “station for the protection of birds” (Vogelschutzwarte ) - an institution for the protection of birds, - which are often confused).
How to explain the importance of the Kursk Spit for bird migration? Let's answer this question using the attached diagram. In autumn migratory birds from vast territories to the east of the Baltic (up to Siberia) in large numbers go to the coast, which, starting from Estonia, stretches mainly in a southerly direction. All land birds avoid flying over the sea, which is why they first accumulate on the coast, and then migrate to the south; on the way, they are joined by birds flying from the north and east. Thus, this stream soon grows strongly until it reaches the tip of the spit near Klaipeda. The land here deviates somewhat to the southeast, and the spit runs in the southwest direction, which is more consistent with the direction of flight of birds. Therefore, the bulk of the birds leave the coast in this place and continue their way over the narrow spit, and here, too, flocks of birds adjoin them from the inner regions of the Baltic, striving for the spit through the initially still narrow bay. The scythe forms a kind of bridge dividing water spaces (hence its popular name "bird flight bridge"), on which flocks of birds crowd until they see the Zemlandsky (Kaliningrad) peninsula far in the south, after which the birds scatter again (Fig. . 6).
The special geographical conditions, combined with the advantages of the dune landscape with its mostly sparse vegetation (and, accordingly, favorable observation opportunities) made it possible to identify here such massive migrations of birds that could not be observed in any other point in Europe. Here are a few figures to illustrate: on some favorable days for the flight, the number of birds flying here reached 500,000; In just three morning hours, from 6 to 9 o'clock, there were about 200,000 of them. On other days, they were 99% finches, which, on this basis, are considered especially typical representatives of mass flights. Closely related to this circumstance is the abundance of data obtained by the Rossitten ornithological station on many specific issues of studying bird migrations.
We observe a completely different picture when considering the position and significance of the former Helgoland ornithological station (Fig. 8). It was founded in 1909 as a branch of the State Biological Institute. With the exception of World War I, Weigold was exemplary in its leadership until Drost succeeded him in 1924. The station became famous after the work of Goetke, who for decades carried out observations on it and for the first time indicated in his book Die Vogelwarte Helgoland the importance of the island for bird migration. Located in more than 40 km from the nearest shore, a steeply rising sandstone cliff with an area of only 0.5 km 2 is the only opportunity for birds flying across the sea, which is especially used by poorly flying, and in foggy weather, other birds. But the far visible lights of the lighthouse are of particular importance for countless night travelers, they serve as both a path indicator and a magnet that magically attracts birds in complete darkness, so that often huge masses of birds invade the island, which sometimes seems completely covered by them ( After the shutdown of the Helgoland lighthouse at the beginning of World War II, Drost still celebrated the still powerful night flight over the island) . Hardly in any other place it is possible to trace so well precisely the night flight of birds, which in general is difficult to observe. Of course, other lighthouses and fire-ships provide similar opportunities for observation, since they also attract numerous birds that approach them with characteristic cries, and sometimes, blinded, fly into a bright strip of light and often die, hitting glass or buildings, but the Helgoland lighthouse was as incomparable in its influence as the night flight of birds was unimaginably powerful around it.
Sometimes, under special weather conditions in the eastern regions of the North Sea, such masses of birds rushed to Heligoland that, compared with them, the usual flights over the island seemed insignificant. Thus, the days of mass overflights were observed in October 1940 and October 1942 due to a cold snap spreading from the north and poor visibility conditions in Heligoland Bay.
This kind of time-limited mass and night flights, characteristic of Helgoland, determined its importance as an ornithological station, while in Rossitten, the regularity of flights was of particular value.
On Helgoland, migratory birds from Siberia, Greenland, North America and the Mediterranean region did not so rarely appear, which proves the heterogeneity of flight conditions in this place, which were largely due to the location of the island and meteorological conditions throughout the North Sea (Fig. 11).
The third German ornithological station Hiddensee, located in front of the island of Rügen, was established in 1936. The tasks assigned to it were initially predominantly of a faunistic and phenological nature, which corresponded to the location of the station. Its first leader, Stadi, emphasized, however, the physiological direction of the work, and his successor Schildmacher, apparently, is going to continue them. Approx. ed.).
In this regard, it is necessary to briefly dwell on the possibilities of determining the flight of birds at night. It has already been said about observations near lighthouses and about the death of birds around them. The danger to birds increases even more if the beacons are connected to radio stations, since the thin wires of the antennas, like the telegraph wires, are invisible at night. As a result, many dead or wounded birds are often found near the lighthouses after a night flight. In Denmark, they have been recorded for many years and thus receive important information about the migration of birds (see Herring's messages "Fuglene ved de danske Fyr"). Weigold proposed lamps that also slightly illuminated the upper part of the lighthouse; thus, birds were prevented from striking them, which, being blinded by the searchlight, did not notice the upper part of the tower. These lamps paid off and were introduced everywhere on the German coast (Fig. 12).
In the inland areas of land, the role of coastal beacons is played by various bright light sources: searchlights, arc lamps, signal lights for aircraft, illuminated squares and houses, etc. Although they do not attract birds flying at night to the same extent as the uniform light of strong beacon lamps , yet they often make them fly lower and emit characteristic screams. These screams, probably, contribute to the rallying of the flock, forming a kind of "sound contact", but it is also possible that they only express the state of excitement that grips the birds at the sight of suddenly appearing lights. As a result, it is possible to identify birds flying by by their voices. Until now, it has only been about observations of bird migrations in limited areas. If such observations are carried out over the entire area of distribution of any species of birds (which is by no means necessary to be done at the same time and for which various literature data can be used), then it becomes possible to compile monographs of flights containing information on flyways, flight speed, wintering periods and features. behavior during the flight of representatives of this species. It is only in recent years that phenological observations have been systematically used for this. The Hungarian ornithologists were the first to do this, then the German explorer Geir and North American scientists, and in recent times Grotte and Stresemann.
An attempt to use the data of modern taxonomy is a step forward in the description of flights in monographs based on phenological observations. She divides many species of birds into easily distinguishable geographical races, that is, different populations. If, for example, we find a clearly distinguishable British race, or a British clucker, or a Greenland wheatear from our white wagtail, outside their nesting area, then we can infer about their flyways and wintering grounds. So Stresemann (1927-1934) managed to establish that often even closely related races of birds have different attitudes towards migration, migrate in different ways and hibernate far from each other, although it would seem that there are no reasons forcing them to do so. Therefore, research on taxonomy, for example, measuring size and weight, determining the state of plumage, age and sex, also form part of the work on the study of bird migration, and therefore are the task of ornithological stations.
Data on initial stage the night rhythm of the migratory activity of birds is scarce in the literature. Parslow (1962, 1969), based on radar observations in southern England, showed that the start of small insectivorous bird species (warblers, flycatchers, warblers, etc.) was noted 35-45 minutes after sunset. The same timing of the onset of nighttime activity was noted by a number of other researchers (Nisbet et al. 1963; Casement 1966). The use of the radio telemetry method made it possible to fairly accurately determine the timing of the launch of single thrush (Cochran et al. 1967). Finally, Hebard (1971) observed birds taking off with binoculars in a searchlight that illuminated the layer of air above the treetops. The data obtained on the timing of the onset of night migration completely coincide with the results of radar observations.
There is virtually no data on other aspects of starting behavior. Only a few works discuss the influence of weather factors on the initial period of night flight (Drury, Keith 1962; Drury, Nisbet 1964; Evans 1966; Nisbet, Drury 1967; Bellrose 1967; Bolshakov, Rezvy 1971).
This study was conducted with the aim of a more detailed study of the issue under consideration. The work was carried out in the spring of 1971 at a station located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland in the area of Stary Peterhof station.
Methodology and material
The observations were carried out for 49 days (April 17 - June 3, 1971) in two constant points... One observation post was located in a small field with an area of about 0.5 km2, located in the middle of the old park, and the other was on the shore of the bay. The topographic and feeding features of this area contributed to an increased concentration of night migrants on it and created favorable conditions for recording their behavior. Observations were carried out visually for 2.0-2.5 h and usually began before sunset.
As a result of our work, material was collected on the initial period of night migration in 18 bird species: Cuculus canorus, Caprimulgus europaeus, Crex crex, Muscicapa striata, Phylloscopus trochilus, Phylloscopus collybita, Ficedula hypoleuca, Turdus pilarula, Turdus viscivia , Turdus philomelos, Erithacus rubecula, Luscinia luscinia, Oenanthe oenanthe, Lanius collurio, Sylvia curruca, Sylvia atricapilla. However, the analysis of behavior presented below refers mainly to 4 types of night migrants, the data for which are the most numerous: Ph. trochilus, E. rubecula, T. philomelos, T. iliacus.
Observation results
Based on the data obtained in the initial period of night migration, two main stages can be distinguished - prelaunch and start: the first reflects the behavior of migrants on the ground, and the second - after takeoff. The beginning of the prelaunch period is associated with the cessation of motor and foraging activity during the sunset. Shortly thereafter, the mobility of the birds increases sharply, and they fly out to the most open spaces(forest edges, field outskirts, single standing trees and groups of bushes). There is a redistribution of migrants across the territory (the second phase of pre-start behavior). It is noteworthy that these movements are not random, but are oriented approximately in the direction of the upcoming flight.
With the rugged coastline, this is especially noticeable. The last phase of prelaunch behavior is characterized by two new features. First, birds often fly to the tops of trees and bushes and sit there motionless for some time (10-15 s). At the same time, they often assume a characteristic posture, so that the impression is created that the birds are examining a certain sector of the sky in the direction of their migration. Such "inspections" are carried out by the same individual several times, and the bird can often change the place of observation. Secondly, at this time a kind of "false starts" are sometimes observed, when birds take off from trees, fly some distance over the water (up to 100-150 m) and return to the shore again. In addition, in a number of bird species at this time, a pronounced vocal "roll call" is observed (Muscicapa striata, Erithacus rubecula, Phylloscopus trochilus, Ph. Collybita, Turdus pilaris, T. iliacus, T. philomelos).
The forms of starting behavior of migrants are very diverse: some individuals disappear from the field of view, moving low above the water, others immediately begin to move at different angles to the horizon, others circle over the coast for some time and only after that they begin to fly in a certain direction.
For most of the starting Phylloscopus spp. a peculiar form of takeoff flight (“butterfly”) was noted, when the bird, in addition to forward motion, oscillates in a horizontal plane relative to the main flight line through constant but short-term changes in the orientation of the body axis. In some cases, the phenomenon of climb is observed, and only after that the birds "lie down" on a certain course. Most of the considered bird species start alone, and only some social nocturnal migrants (Turdus pilaris, Turdus iliacus, Muscicapa striata) take off in groups of different sizes.
If the start did not take place, we can talk about the post-launch period, characterized by the movement of birds in search of a place to spend the night.
All phases of the prelaunch and start periods are timed to a certain time after sunset. However, the time interval between the moment of local sunset and a particular phase of behavior gradually changes from the beginning to the end of the season (see figure). The average start time increases from 45 ± 2.51 min in the second decade of April to 85 ± 5.47 min in the third decade of May. This pattern is not the result of species differences in the timing of starting behavior, but reflects the similarity of reactions different types birds (and individuals) to changing external conditions. Most of the works of other authors note that the start time was fixed and averaged 35-45 minutes after sunset (Nisbet et al. 1963; Parslow 1962, 1969; Casement 1966; Herbard 1971). In our opinion, such a difference in the results is quite natural. Observations have shown that the starting behavior of birds is confined to a certain level of illumination. All of these studies were carried out south of 50 ° north latitude, where the duration of evening twilight does not change during the year. In the conditions of the Leningrad Region, with an increase in the length of the day in spring, the twilight period also lengthens, so that the critical limit of the illumination level gradually shifts. In accordance with this, the start dates are also shifted. Fluctuations in the timing of different phases of behavior over several consecutive days are determined by different cloud conditions, which cause noticeable changes in the level of illumination for the same time of day.
In species of the genus Turdus, there is a strong stimulation of behavior through developed sound communication. The imitation of behavior in blackbirds is so great that one can speak of the "mental aspect" of the starting behavior, which in most cases is necessary and sometimes sufficient for the beginning of a night flight. For this reason, some schools of blackbirds can take off somewhat earlier than average, and solitary individuals usually start later or do not start a night flight at all.
Starting behavior does not take place in case of overcast, poor visibility, in rainy and foggy weather, it is strongly limited by the wind speed in the surface layer of more than 6-8 m / s (see figure). Partly cloudy even in the absence of other limiting factors significantly reduces the number of starting birds. In addition, as shown by special observations of the night migration of birds, an improvement in the weather at a later time of the night does not induce starting behavior in any of the discussed bird species. The data available in the literature are in agreement with this (Herbard 1971).
Conclusion
Observations of the initial period of the night flight showed that the prelaunch redistribution of birds over the territory, as well as “false starts”, in most cases are oriented in the correct migration direction. This kind of behavior takes place before the first stars appear in the observer's field of view. Thus, it can be assumed that night migrants receive information about the position of the cardinal points even during daylight hours.
Our observations also confirmed that the starting behavior is completely suppressed by continuous clouds (Bolshakov, Rezvy 1971). In all cases, with full cloud cover, no starting birds were observed, despite the high number of migrants on the coast of the Gulf of Finland.
The data obtained indicate that only the astronomical orientation system functions in birds during the launch. The ability of migrants to orientate movements during the pre-start period remains unclear. The participation of the sun in the system of orientational behavior of night migrants at this stage of the daily rhythm of activity is assumed.
Literature
Bolshakov K.V., Rezvy S.P. 1971. Influence of cloudiness and wind on the night migration of birds // Materials of the symp. "Analyzing systems and orientation behavior of birds". M.
Bellose F. 1967. Radar in orientation research // Proc. 14th Intern. Ornithol. Conf. Oxford.
Casement M.B. 1966. Migrations across the Mediterranean observed by radar // Ibis 108, 4: 461-491.
Cochran W.W., Montgomery G.G., Graber R.R. 1967. Migratory flights of Hylocichla thrushes in spring: a radiotelemetry study // Living Bird 6: 213-225.
Drury W.H., Keith J.A. 1962. Radar studies of song-bird migration in coastal New England // Ibis 104, 4: 449-489.
Drury W.H. Jr., Nisbet I. C. T. 1964. Radar studies of orientation of song-bird migrants in southeastern New England // Bird-Banding 35, 2: 69-119.
Evans P.R. 1966. Migration and orientation of passerine night migrants in North-East England // J. Zool. (London) 150, 3: 319-348.
Herbard J.J. 1971. The nightly initiation of passerine migration in spring: a direct visual study // Ibis 113, 1: 8-18.
Nisbet I. C. T., Drury W. H. Jr., Baird I. 1963. Weight-loss during migration // Bird-Banding 34, 3: 107-138.
Nisbet I. C. T., Drury W. H. Jr. 1967. Orientation of spring migrants studied by radar // Bird-Banding 38, 3: 173-186.
Parslow I.L.F. 1962. Immigration of night migrants into southern England in spring 1962 // Bird Migration 2: 160-175.
Parslow I.L.F. 1969. The migration of passerine night migrants across the English Channel studied by radar // Ibis 111, 1: 48-79.
K.V. Bolshakov, S.P. Frisky.
Second edition. First published in 1975... Bolshakov K.V., Rezvy S.P. 1975. Observations of the behavior of birds in the initial period of the night migration flight // Soobshch. Balt. commission. on the study of bird migration 9: 123-129.
Source
Russian Ornithological Journal 2017, Express Edition 1515. p. 4431-4435.
Larvivora akahige (Temminck, 1835). The Japanese robin is similar to the common robin, but it is more massive, heavier, the tail is wider and shorter. The front and sides of the chest, as well as the sides of the body, are slate-colored. It settles in dark areas of mixed forests, with shrubs ...
Muscicapa dauurica (Pallas, 1811). Flycatcher of medium and small size, brownish or reddish color, without longitudinal streaks, white color predominates below. Only in this flycatcher, of all the "gray" flycatchers, streaks on the ventral side are not developed ...
Spinus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758). Siskin is a small bird, slightly larger than a warbler. The coloration of the male consists of combinations of black, green and yellow. In the female, the color is less contrasting, and first of all, the absence of a solid black cap, the top of the head is noticeable ...
Saxicola caprata (Linnaeus, 1766). The black embossing draws attention to itself as its contrasting color. The predominant color of the male is shiny black. The spots on the wings along the forearm, uppertail, undertail and abdomen are white. In fresh plumage it is happy ...
Melanocorypha yeltoniensis (Forster, JR, 1768). The black lark is larger than the starling. Densely built, with long wings that do not reach the end of a rather long tail. In color, the black lark deviates sharply from the usual type "f ...
Oenanthe finschii (von Heuglin, 1869). The black-necked wheatear is a rather large, densely built wheatear with relatively short wings and a thick beak, adapted to live in deserts. Among other heaters he chooses almost ...
Oenanthe hispanica (Linnaeus, 1758). A black-eared heater is a small, slender heater. The male is black-footed, the female is gray-brown. The tail is white over a greater extent, with an uneven black end. Inhabits rocky places with outcrops of rocks, lives on loess cliffs ...
Calliope pectoralis (Gould, 1837). The black-breasted ruby-neck leads a rather secretive lifestyle, only during the mating season, the males, losing caution, sing completely openly and, thanks to a loud song and a conspicuous color, become especially deputies ...
Zoya Razumnaya
Summary of the walk "Bird watching"
Target: consolidate and generalize children's knowledge about migratory birds.
Tasks:
Educational: consolidate knowledge and give new ideas about migratory birds (appearance, habitat, nutrition, habits, flight);
to consolidate the ability of children to distinguish, group, describe appearance birds, their characteristics, behavior;
to activate the dictionary of children (migratory, insectivorous, granivorous, predatory, waterfowl, singing, wedge, line, arc).
Developing: develop coherent speech, attention, observation, visual perception, the ability to draw conclusions.
Educational: to educate children in interest in the feathered inhabitants of wildlife, respect to them.
Preliminary work: talking about birds, watching birds, reading stories, fairy tales and poems about birds, viewing illustrations, watching films.
Walking course.
Educator: guys, please name the characteristic signs of autumn. (foliage turns yellow, drizzling rains fall, birds fly away).
Educator: Today on our walk we will observe and talk about birds.
Educator: what are the names of the birds that fly away to warmer regions and which remain? (migratory and wintering).
Educator: What are the migratory birds? (woodpecker, lark, swallow, rook, heron, crane, starling).
Educator: children, please guess the riddles:
This is an old friend of ours:
He lives on the roof of the house -
Long-legged, long-nosed,
He flies to hunt
for frogs to the swamp. (stork)
Educator: right, stork - big bird white, with a large beak, we could observe it on the territory of our site.
This bird never
Doesn't build nests for chicks. (cuckoo)
Educator: cuckoo is a small bird, but larger than a nightingale, it has a variegated color, a long tail, small beak. The cuckoo, unlike other birds, never builds nests, but lays its eggs in other people's nests, so the birds are forced to breed and raise cuckoo chicks
Under the roof I sculpt a nest
From lumps of clay.
For chicks, lay on the bottom
Downy feather bed. (Martin)
Of all the migratory birds, I am the blackest, pacing importantly over thawed patches and looking for worms. (rook)
This bird sings best of all birds. (nightingale)
Educator: The nightingale is a small bird with brown plumage, a small beak, tail and legs.
Educator: children, why do people like to listen to the nightingale singing? (he sings beautifully)
Educator: The nightingale has the most beautiful song: complex, with repetitions of syllables. The nightingale whistles and clicks and bursts. There is no voice in the world richer, more flexible and more beautiful than the voice of this little bird of ours.
Educator: who else knows the best singers? (in the forest - songbirds, in the fields - larks)
This bird makes its nests in holes on the ground. People say that if her voice is not heard early in the morning, it is due to rain or bad weather. (lark).
What a small, blackish bird builds its nests from grass and clay under the roofs of houses. (Martin)
He can imitate the singing of other birds, the barking of dogs, the croaking of frogs. (starling)
Name one of the most useful birds that kills flies and mosquitoes. When he walks on the ground, he shakes his long tail. (wagtail)
Educator: That's right, these birds are also migratory.
Educator: name the body parts of the birds. (torso, head, tail, beak)
Educator: guys, why do birds fly away to warmer regions? (because it gets cold here, there are no insects in winter)
Dynamic pause "Guess and sit down"
Educator: now I will name migratory and wintering birds, if you hear the name of a wintering bird, then sit down, and if the name is migratory, then wave your hands. Crow, nightingale, woodpecker, magpie, pigeon, swallow, titmouse, rook, starling, bullfinch, stork, crane, sparrow, heron, etc.
Educator: how do they find their way south and back here? (answers)
Educator: some birds fly away at night, others during the day. But before the flight, they make test flights, eat more than usual, put on fat - they have nowhere to eat during the flight. In flight, they are guided by the stars, and if the sky is covered with clouds and the stars are not visible, then they are guided by the magnetic vibrations of the Earth.
How many of you have noticed that some birds fly away in flocks, all together, some, for example, cranes, line up in a wedge in the form of a triangle, others line up in a chain, in one line. Perhaps it depends on the habits of the birds: some birds need leaders who show the way.
Educator: why are birds feeding on insects the first to fly to the south in autumn? (insects are hiding and they have nothing to eat)
Educator: why do migratory birds fly back in the spring? (birds need to hatch chicks)
Dynamic pause "Birds have flown"
The birds flew. They fly, flap their wings (children raise their hands up and down).
The wind has risen, it is more and more difficult for the birds to fly.
Rain wet the wings, heavy steel wings (children slowly raise their hands).
The wind died down. The sun came out. Tired birds descend to the ground. The flock settles down to rest (children squat).
Summarizing:
What did you like about the walk?
What migratory birds did we remember today?
What new have you learned about the bird?
What kind of migratory birds did you see?
How do birds find their way to warm lands and back to us?
What do birds give to people? (joy)
Action game "Say in one word"
Purpose: to develop attention and intelligence.
The teacher throws the ball to the children, while asking questions, the children must answer and throw the ball back.
The swallow has sharp wings, it is ... / sharp-winged /.
The stork has long legs, what is he like? ... / long-legged /.
The stork has a long beak, it is ... / long-billed /.
The swallow has a long tail, it is ... / long-tailed /.
The swallow loves warmth, she is ... / thermophilic /.
Ball game "Continue the sentence"
Purpose: to develop the speech of children.
Educator: I say the beginning of a sentence, I throw the ball, and you finish it and give the ball back to me.
In the fall, birds fly south because (it's cold and there is nothing to eat)
The heron has long legs because (she walks through the swamp)
The eagle has a big nest because (he is a big bird)
The cuckoo throws eggs in other nests because (does not build its own nest)
Dear friends, thank you for your attention and support!
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Abstract of an autumn walk with children of the middle group AN OUTCOME OF AN OPEN WALK IN AUTUMN WITH CHILDREN OF THE MIDDLE GROUP Purpose: to form an idea of changes in nature; ecological, aesthetic.
The theme of the walk is “Birdwatching in winter”. The purpose of the walk is health improvement, prevention of fatigue, physical and mental development.
Summary of the walk "Observing storks" Purpose: to expand and enrich children's ideas about migratory stork birds. Objectives: Educational :.
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INTERNATIONAL PROJECT "SPRING IS COMING!"
Birdwatching
Compiled by:, based on the project "Spring is Coming" (www.)
© Ecology Laboratory KODTSEOiT, March 2007
Bird migration
One of the most amazing and interesting abilities of birds is flight or migration. Every year they gather in flocks and travel thousands of kilometers in order to wait out the winter in a warmer and more favorable climate.
The main reason for bird migration is lack of food. In winter in European countries, it is difficult for birds to get enough insects, fruits or seeds, but on other continents, where the climate is more favorable, food can be found in abundance. Although some of the birds do not survive long flights and die, the majority survive, and migrations allow migratory birds to preserve their species.
To pass this test, birds must be healthy at the start of the test, with good fat reserves and new plumage. After the end of the breeding season and before heading out, the birds undergo a "complete renewal". Subcutaneous fat accumulates almost throughout the bird's body. During the flight, especially when the necessary food is not available, subcutaneous fat will be the only source of energy. In the same period, the plumage of the bird completely changes, the so-called molt takes place. Feathers, which bear a special responsibility, change: old worn ones fall out, and new ones grow in their place.
During the flight, birds receive a lot of information from the environment. There are three main sources of information for them - the sun, stars and the earth's magnetic field. They help the birds locate themselves and take the right direction. During their flight, birds observe the location of the sun and stars, and they detect changes in the earth's magnetic field with the help of a special receptor located immediately behind the bird's beak. Young birds learn orienteering during their first flights.
How to take part in the project
Participate in the project "Spring is coming!" easy and interesting!
Spring is coming! - this is the first step towards the emergence in our country of such a widespread phenomenon in Europe as "bedwatchers" or bird watchers. Thanks to the help of children and adults, every year we can celebrate the arrival of spring. It is easy and interesting to participate in the project. The most important thing is to celebrate your first sightings of migratory birds every year.
Thanks to your observations, employees of the international organization BirdLife and the Russian Bird Conservation Union will be able to annually analyze data on the first sightings of birds, receive information about spring phenomena and determine in which of the weeks the most people saw the first migratory birds. This improves our knowledge of bird migration in Europe.
How to enter data?
Collecting and transferring data is not difficult at all, especially by following the points below:
1) Explore the views chosen by the Spring is Coming! - common cuckoo, barn swallow, black swift and white stork (for this, refer to the section "Birds" - "Get to know the species of birds") - and find information about when they arrive in our country.
2) During this period, carefully observe the nature around you and, as soon as you see or hear one of them (the cuckoo is very difficult to see, and you should only be ready to hear it), mark the date of observation. Remember, you only need to enter data on the first meeting of the species in the form!
3) Then take the questionnaire and carefully fill in your details. To do this, you need to remember the date of the meeting and where you met the bird. After you fill out all the points of the questionnaire, send it to us.
4) Tell your friends about your participation in the "Spring is Coming!" Project.
You make your observations near your home, near school, or on a weekend walk.
All you have to do is observe the arrival of spring, listen carefully and peer into the surrounding nature, paying special attention to the four species of birds that we have chosen to observe the arrival of spring.
When you see or hear a bird of one of the species described, remember or write down the date and area where you saw it. It is not necessary to count birds.
You can make observations near your home, near school, or on a weekend walk.
It is best to watch birds outside the city, as three of the four species are rare in the city. If you are a city dweller, you can focus on swifts.
But what is really important is not to forget to enter your information into the proposed questionnaire.
What is the purpose of the project?
The main goal of our project is to collect information about when migratory birds return to their nesting sites. Even fragmentary observations made by a large group of people provide valuable information about the migrations of birds, about what changes take place in their travels from year to year. The main advantage of the project "Spring is coming!" lies in the breadth of the geographical coverage, and this is achieved thanks to the huge number of participants collecting information throughout Europe.
After a certain period, when enough data will be collected, it will be possible to catch changes in the arrival dates, and, possibly, determine how the annual changes in the arrival date depend on climate changes.
How can I see the results?
The received questionnaires will be immediately sent to Moscow to the Coordination Center of the Russian Bird Conservation Union. There your observations will be transferred to the site. international project"Spring is coming!" (website address: www.). On this site, you can view the results in two ways: on a map or in tables. The picture of the arrival of spring, constantly supplemented by information from more and more new project participants, changes daily. The results shown in the tables are updated in real time. In them you can find the very first date of the meeting of birds throughout Europe, and by choosing your country, you can see the date of the first arrival in our country or in your region. By entering the "Results" section and selecting "Tables", you can see how many messages about the sightings of these birds have already come from our country or your region.
Where and how are we going to use your data?
Through the information you collect, BirdLife International can get an idea of the number of birds returning from wintering grounds to Europe, their dates of arrival and their flight paths. We do not set ourselves the task of taking into account all birds (it is insoluble), but it is realistic and possible to take into account a part of the population of returned birds by the same method.
The collected data can be used to analyze the timing of arrival and flight paths of birds. The results can be analyzed separately on different geographic scales: for Europe as a whole, for the European part of Russia or its separate region. In addition, annual mapping of sightings of selected bird species will help provide a detailed picture of their arrival.
Make a nesting house for a black swift
The main thing that we can help the birds is hanging nesting houses. Usually they are called birdhouses, which is not entirely correct. In addition to starling houses, dwellings can be made for many other hollow nests, even for black swifts. You have the opportunity to make such an artificial nest for the swift yourself. To make it, you will need carpentry tools, a pencil, a ruler, nails and dry boards from any type of wood. Old boards are also quite suitable, as long as they are not rotten. First, prepare, according to the given figures and drawings, the main parts (walls, bottom, lid, attachment bar) of the house and only after that start putting together a nesting site. The manufactured structures are suspended both on buildings and on trees (but also near a person's dwelling) at a height of at least 7 meters above the ground (Fig.).
Try to solve some of the mysteries of migratory birds
Please answer the questions offered to you.
It is not necessary to answer all the questions. Choose the questions that interest you the most.
White stork
· How to distinguish a young bird from an adult?
· What do storks eat?
White stork nest (Where is it located? What building material is it made of? Is everyone building a new nest or occupying an old one?)
· Where do white storks fly for wintering?
Barn swallow
· How to distinguish young birds from adults?
· What do swallows eat?
Swallow's nest (Where is it located? What building material does it consist of? Every year a new nest is built or an old one is occupied? What is the difference between a barn swallow's nest and a city one?)
· Where barn swallows fly away for the winter?
Common cuckoo
· What does the cuckoo eat and what is its role in nature?
· How is the nesting season for the cuckoo?
Black swift
· What do swifts eat?
Swift nest (Where is it located? What building material does it consist of? Where is it collected construction material? Do they build a new nest every year or occupy an old one?)
· Where do cuckoos fly for the winter?
Help the Birds: Questions and Answers
DO YOU THINK WHETHER ANY DANGER IS THREATENING TO THE BIRDS SELECTED FOR THE SPRING IS COMING! PROJECT?
Although all described species are common birds in Europe, and their populations are numerous and widespread, they can still be threatened in some cases. For example, the population of the white stork underwent significant declines in the second half of the 20th century. The main reasons for this were the drainage of wetlands, the use of pesticides in agriculture and global climate change.
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ONE SUMMARY ALL THESE BIRDS WILL VANISH FROM EUROPE?
If people do not properly take care of these easily recognizable and interesting birds and their habitats, one day they may disappear from our cities and towns. Expansion of agricultural land, drainage of wetlands and climate change can also seriously affect the widespread bird species in Europe. If we want to admire the beauty and uniqueness of wild birds in the future, they must be protected and helped at the present time.
CAN YOU HELP THESE BIRDS?
Each person, according to their age and skills, can help the birds. You can take part in special programs aimed at preserving certain species of birds, you can build artificial nests or feed birds during difficult periods of life.
News archive of the project "Spring is coming!"
Results of the project "Spring is coming!" for 2006
The first stage of the new for Russia project “Spring is Coming!” Has come to an end. During the period, children, as well as their parents and teachers from all over Europe and the European part of Russia, watched the arrival of migratory birds, and with them the arrival of spring in their countries. All four species selected for the project, namely the white stork, cuckoo, swift and barn swallow, spend the winter months on the African continent, and only with the onset of migration do they return to Europe. The inhabitants of Spain and Portugal were the first to greet them, and then the inhabitants of Central and Northern Europe were celebrating the birds moving further and further north and north, and, finally, they were met by the inhabitants of Russia.
Of the 47 countries invited to participate in the project, the most active participants were zhigstates. Among them are Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ireland, as well as our neighbors the Republic of Belarus, Lithuania and Latvia. From these countries came from 150 to 300 or more messages. We, the inhabitants of Russia, are a little behind them. Nevertheless, the wide geographical coverage of the messages sent is encouraging. Residents from the Republic of Dagestan and the Bryansk region to the Murmansk region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug participated in observing the arrival of birds. Schoolchildren of the Republic of Karelia turned out to be very active.
As a result, we have the following. Zhyloblasts, republics and autonomous districts of the European part of Russia took part in the census of migratory birds. In total, they sent about 170 messages, most of which fell on the cuckoo and barn swallow - the most recognizable birds in our region.
Results of the project "Spring is coming!" for 2007
This year, children and adults from 37 European countries have met migratory birds. In total, they sent more than 4 times more messages than in the previous year. If in 2006 their number was 3987, then in 2007 their number reached 16277 messages. In Europe as a whole, the leaders in terms of the number of sent messages were Ireland, Poland and Italy. For a long time Russia occupied the third place, but then we moved to the fourth position. The first three countries accounted for the bulk of messages - more than 11,000. More than half a thousand messages were sent by Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Most of the messages fell on the barn swallow - 5747 meetings. The weather conditions were very warm, and according to the results of the project, the birds arrived on average in Europe 13 days earlier than in the previous year.
The total number of messages sent by Russian project participants this year reached 897, and 21 regions and the republic of Russia took part in its implementation. The most active Russian participants in the project were residents of the Kaliningrad region, who sent 663 messages (or 74% of all Russian messages). It is pleasant to note that such republics as Dagestan, Tatarstan, Mari-El, Udmurtia joined the project.
The earliest were reports of storks - in the Kaliningrad region they were first noted on March 1. Despite the seemingly universal recognition of the cuckoo by its voice, the swallow and the swift were the first in terms of the latitude of geographical coverage. In terms of the number of messages sent, the stork was in the lead, followed by the swallow, cuckoo and swift in descending order.
Spring is coming! opened the 2008 season
We open new season of the project "Spring is coming!" Despite the fact that in most European countries there is still winter cold, the first swallows have already been seen in Spain, Portugal and Cyprus. And this is a sure sign that spring is just around the corner! Let's meet her all together!
Get to know the views
White stork
The white stork is a tall black and white bird with a long neck, high red legs and a large, straight red beak. The white plumage of the head, neck and body contrasts with the black plumage of the wings, shimmering red and in green... His brown eyes are surrounded by a black periobital ring.
Storks can be easily spotted by their very characteristic sound: a couple simultaneously knocks with their beaks, as if they are knocking with two thick wooden sticks.
These birds are easiest to spot in the nest and can also be found in wet meadows or freshly harvested fields.
Storks' nests are very large, they are built high above the ground, from where a good view of the surrounding area opens.
In the European part of Russia, as well as in Europe, storks can be seen from March to August. Individual birds can also be seen in October, but most often these are weakened birds.
Unfortunately, white storks cannot be seen in every European country. Over the past century, the number of birds returning from wintering has been decreasing from year to year. The main causes of this phenomenon are considered to be climate change and the reduction of wetlands - habitats of white storks.
Barn swallow
The Barn Swallow is a small bird with a bluish-black back, buffy neck, white belly, and a long, forked tail that resembles a two-toothed fork. It looks almost completely black against the sky. But all the same it is easy to recognize her by a forked tail and light gliding flight.
Sitting on the wires, the swallows chirp, turning in different sides... Their loud chirping in the early morning can even wake you up. They return to the European continent in the spring in order to build a nest, breed and feed their chicks. In Russia, you can meet them from May to September.
How to distinguish a barn swallow from a swift?
Swift is larger than a swallow, its wings are narrower, but much longer and have a crescent shape. Unlike the swift, the swallow bends its wings while moving, and its tail has long braids. Remember that barn swallows are found mainly in countryside, and swifts - in cities.
Although swallows are common birds, and their numbers in Europe are stable, nevertheless, remember that the harm caused environment and their habitats can lead to their disappearance from our continent.
Common cuckoo
The common cuckoo is a pigeon-sized bird with an ash gray top and a dirty white spotted belly. They are very shy and secretive, and few manage to see them. If you are lucky and you met a cuckoo in the forest, then, most likely, it will seem to you a dark stream-shaped bird flying quickly over a forest clearing. It is much easier to hear a cuckoo. And if you hear the characteristic "cuckoo, cuckoo", it means that the male cuckoo announces his arrival and calls the female to join him.
The cuckoo is quite common everywhere: in the forest, in open spaces and on the slopes of mountains. Did you know that cuckoos do not build their own nests, but lay their eggs in other birds' nests? Usually the cuckoo hatches first and throws out the rest of the eggs and chicks from the nest.
The number of cuckoos in Europe is large, and their population is quite stable, however, it should be noted that the number of birds in Western Europe is decreasing, especially in France.
Black swift
The black swift is a dark brown bird, but it appears almost black against the sky. It has long, sickle wings and a short, forked tail. In flight, you may confuse it with a swallow, but a swift, unlike a swallow, never folds its wings on the fly. He cannot be seen sitting. Swifts' nests, as a rule, are hidden under roofs, and they quickly fly in and out. Among all birds, swifts stand out both in their ability to survive in adverse conditions, and in life expectancy, they can live up to 21 years, for the tact of small birds this is a lot!
On a summer day, look high into the sky, where you can see groups of birds, with a sharp cry, rapidly flying over the roofs of houses - these are swifts. Unlike swallows, they never sit down to rest. Swifts fly great and spend almost all their time in the air, they even sleep on the fly! They sit only at their nest.
The easiest way to observe swifts is in the city, where they build their nests in cracks and ventilation openings, and sometimes in nest boxes specially hung out for them.
How to distinguish a swift from a swallow?
A swift is larger than a swallow, its wings are narrower, but much longer and have a crescent shape. Unlike a swallow, he never folds them in flight. The tail of the swift is wider and shorter. Remember that the swallow is easiest to see in the city, and the swallow is easiest to see in the countryside.
The swift population in Europe is very large and stable.
Please send your report by May 5 to the Ecology Laboratory of KODTSEOiT(room 18, Kaliningrad, 236006). You can get advice by phone /, e-mail***** @ *** ru (, methodologist).
Published by with the support of: |
Report form
Report on the project "Spring is coming!"
Please add TITLE PAGE (see the form in the manual)
FEATURE ARTICLE
v What classes and how many people took part in the action? 2. What have you done to study and conserve migratory birds? * Please describe the activities held. For each event, indicate when it was held, for what purpose, who participated in it (including how many people?), And what was achieved? * Think about how you can make these actions even more effective. In addition to written observations, any creative propaganda results (essays, leaflets, drawings, photographs, videos, etc.) are accepted. 1. What have you done to study the arrival of birds? v Where were the observations made? Indicate the locality. v How long have you observed the arrival of birds (specify dates)? v What is your main conclusion and impressions of the observations made? v Which species are the most common and abundant you have come across? What kinds of birds and why do they need help? Attach any creative results(essays, leaflets, drawings, photographs, videos, etc.). 2. What did you do to protect birds in the spring? v Please describe the activities undertaken. For each event, indicate when it was held, for what purpose, who participated in it (including how many people?), And what was achieved? v Consider how you can make these actions even more effective. In your report, do not forget to thank those people who helped you. |
Please, ATTACH migratory bird observation questionnaires
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