Breeding of black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus in muddy sites of a wastewater treatment plant

A stable group of birds has been formed at water treatment facilities. Sewage treatment sites are a well-known nesting place for long-legged waders. Black-winged stilts are included in the Bonn (Appendix II) and Berne (Appendix II) conventions, the AEWA agreement. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (1994, 2009) (status – vulnerable). In Ukraine, it is under protection on the territory of the natural reserve fund. The arrival of black-winged stilts waders at the nesting sites was recorded in the second-third decade of April (April 23, 2020; April 17, 2021). Immediately after returning to the nesting areas, the birds begin to build nests and lay eggs. The first eggs in this population were seen on 01.05.2020, 07.05.2021. The process of laying eggs lasted until the end of the first decade of July (08.07.2020). The average clutch size in the nests of Himantopus himantopus decreased from 3.8 ± 0.1 (2020) to 3.5 ± 0.1 (2021). The average egg sizes and their limits have been determined for long-legged waders. The chicks hatched from late May (30.05.2020), throughout June to the first decade of July (02.07.2020). The chicks were able to fly in a month – 29.06.2020. The muddy site of the wastewater treatment ponds of Kharkiv supported Black-winged Stilts until early August. Later, the birds started post-breeding movements. The last adults with juvenile birds were observed on 13.08.2020. Stilts in some years may stay until early October. The reproductive success of the black-winged stilt increased from 35.6% (2020) to 38.8% (2021). On average, 1.3 ± 0.2 (2020) and 1.4 ± 0.3 (2021) chicks fledged from the nests. In 2021, the number of nesting stilts increased, which is apparently due to rainy weather at the beginning of the reproductive period. For the purpose of more effective protection, the nesting settlements of the stilt should be protected and the appearance of people in the nesting places should be prohibited

Groupings of arthropods in nest boxes inhabited by Phoenicurus phoenicurus in pine forests of Northeastern Ukraine

The common redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae) is one the most appealing insect-eating birds living in parks, gardens, and other cultured landscapes of Europe, Central and Western Asia, and Northern Africa. We analyzed the nests of Ph. phoenicurus after the chicks had flown away. Throughout the reproductive period, in the pine forests of Northeastern Ukraine, those nests contained 23 species of arthropods, belonging to 15 families, 9 orders. The analysis of the distribution of arthropods by ecological groups revealed a correlation between the number of arthropods and parameters of breeding success and air temperature in the national nature parks. To attract Ph. phoenicurus to the pine forests of the region, we used standard-sized artificial nests made of wooden sections. The results of the study demonstrated a high level of biodiversity of nidicolous arthropods in the nests of Ph. phoenicurus in the pine forests in 2019–2023. The largest share of nidicolous invertebrates among the ecological groups was comprised of “nourishment for chicks”. A large portion of arthropods in the nest of Ph. phoenicurus was polyphages. The results provide a better understandanding of the dynamics of invertebrates’ populations in artificial nests occupied by Ph. phoenicurus, their effect on the breeding successfulness of this species, and also other significant factors. This is important for designing effective strategies of preserving the populations of this species in the region of research. Further research is needed to specify the factors influencing the distribution of the bird and species composition of arthropods in its nests in other types of ecosystems within the bird’s range

Trophic links of the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) in transformed forest ecosystems of North-Eastern Ukraine

The сhaffinch (Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758; Passeriformes, Fringillidae) is one of the most colourful forest species of birds living in Europe, West Asia and North Africa. The diet of this species was studied as a contribution to the conservation of the population of this species in transformed forests of the north-eastern part of Ukraine. Four forest ecosystems were studied: three model sites in oak forests, transformed under intensive recreation pressure, and one model site in a pine-oak forest. A total of 39 invertebrate taxa, dominated by Insecta (93.0%) were found. The orders Coleoptera (32.6%) and Lepidoptera (63.5%) prevailed in the diet of finch nestlings, the highest number of taxa (52.3–76.2%) was represented by phytophages. The phytophagous species also constituted the majority of the consumed prey items (44.0–55.6%). Environmental conditions provided an important effect on the diet structure. The most favourable foraging conditions for the species were found in protected natural areas. According to the analysis, the finch foraging efficiency was similar in all the studied sites. The highest biodiversity indices were found in a protected area of Homilshanski Forests National Nature Park. Results of the research have indicated the crucial role of Fringilla coelebs in the population management of potentially dangerous agricultural pests

Fruit and berry plants of forest belts as a factor of species diversity of ornithofauna during the breeding season and autumn migration period

During migration, the availability of food that affects the success of bird movements, the nature and timing of their movements, is critical for many bird species. The relationship between migration routes and the ripening of fruit and berry plants along the route is important. Four types of forest belts were studied: wind-blown maple-ash, latticed maple-linden, dense oak-maple-linden, wind-blown oak-maple-poplar. During the study 43 bird species were identified consuming 9 major fruit and berry plant species: Sambucus nigra, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus laevigata, Rosa canina, Prunus padus, Sorbus aucuparia, Rhamnus cathartica, Morus nigra, Prunus cerasus. The highest average number of birds feeding in forest belts (4.14 ind./km) was registered in oak-maple-linden dense forest belts, while the lowest number (1.48 ind./km) was recorded in wind-blown maple-ash ones. Maple-linden latticed forest belts characterize the best index data of α-diversity of birds. In the summer-autumn diet, succulent fruit are the most important: Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) – 11.8% of the total number of birds observed to feed on this food resource, Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) – 11.3%, Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) – 9.3%, Song thrush (Turdus philomelos) – 7.3%, Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) – 7.1%, Blackbird (Turdus merula) – 5.4%. 42 species of birds were observed to feed on black elderberry. More than half (51.2%) of the species composition of birds feeding on fruit and berry plants were migratory birds. Consequently, juicy berries are an important food during bird migrations

Терміни розмноження та розмір кладки у Parus major та P. caeruleus у Харківській та Сумській областях

Under our supervision were on average 450 artificial nesting in different years. Studies were conducted in 2006–2014 in the conditions ofoak forestin national natural park “Homilshanski forests” (Kharkiv region) (49°38' north latitude, 36°18' east longitude), pine forests in National natural park “Hetmansky” (50°22' north latitude, 35°01' east longitude) and broadleaf forest natural boundary Vakalivschyna (Sumyregion) (51°01' north latitude, 34°55' east longitude). We investigated 164 layings of great tits and 38 laying of blue tits. Terms of breeding of birds were determined by the date of laying of the first egg. It was found that tits began to lay eggs at steady transition of the average daily temperature over +4 ºC. Maximum amount of started layings was observed in great tits and blue tits in the conditions of the national natural park “Homilshanski forests” (average size – 12.3 ± 1.50 and 12.8 ± 1.75 eggs, respectively) at +15 ºC, with the size of laying gradually decreasing with higher temperatures. Sizes of full layings in great tits (n = 164) and blue tits (n = 38) inSumyand Kharkiv regions were found. With regard to the great tit, it varies from 5 to 15 eggs being on average 10.8 ±1.93 inthe conditions of NNP “Homilshanski forests”, at natural boundary Vakalivschyna – 9.3 ± 2.33 and at NNP “Hetmansky” – 9.1 ± 2.28, while for blue tits it is equal to 5–15 eggs, i.e. 11.4 ± 2.09 on average in the conditions of NNP “Homilshanski forests”, at natural boundary Vakalivschyna – 9.3 ± 2.81 and at NNP “Hetmansky” – 10.5. Size of laying for great tits and blue tits, which prevails for each territory, has been established. The largest sizes for great tits are: 11-egg laying (10.9%) in the conditions of NNP “Homilshanski forests”, 11-egg laying (12.7%) dominating at the natural boundary Vakalivschyna and 9- and 10-egg laying (by 3.0%) at NNP “Hetmansky”. 12-egg laying (21.0%) was often found in the nests of blue tits in conditions of NNP “Homilshanski forests”, size of laying which would be dominating in blue tits at the natural boudary Vakalivschyna and NNP “Hetmansky” was not found. The largest number of laying by great tits was started at NNP “Homilshanski forests” in the second decade of April (n = 28), at natural boundary Vakalivschyna – in early May (n = 25), while blue tits started laying eggs at NNP “Homilshanski forests” in the third decade of April (n = 17), at natural boundary Vakalivschyna – in the first (n = 2) and second (n = 2) week in May. Overwhelming number of layings were started by great tits and blue tits at NNP “Hetmansky” in the third week of April.Синиці починають нестися за умови стійкого переходу середньодобової температури через +4 ºС. У синиці великої та синиці блакитної в умовах НПП «Гомільшанські ліси» максимальна кількість розпочатих кладок (середній розмір 12,3 ± 1,50 та 12,8 ± 1,75 яйця відповідно) спостерігається за +15 ºС, зі зростанням якої розмір кладки поступово зменшується. Виявлено розмір повних кладок синиці великої (n = 164) та синиці блакитної (n=38) у Сумській та Харківській областях. У синиці великої він варіює від 5 до15 яєць, що у середньому становить в умовах НПП «Гомільшанські ліси» (ділянка 1) 10,8 ± 1,93, в ур. Вакалівщина (ділянка 2) – 9,3 ± 2,33 та у НПП «Гетьманський» (ділянка 3) – 9,1 ± 2,28, а у синиці блакитної – від 5 до 15 яєць, що у середньому становить 11,4 ± 2,09 (1), 9,3 ± 2,81 (2) та 10,5 (3) відповідно. Встановлено розмір кладок для синиці великої та синиці блакитної, який зустрічається найчастіше на кожній ділянці. У синиці великої найбільшу частку складають 11-яйцеві кладки (10,9%) (1), 11-яйцеві кладки (12,7%) (2), 9- та 10-яйцеві кладки (по 3,0%) (3). У гніздах синиці блакитної найчастіше зустрічаються 12-яйцеві кладки (21,1%) (1), на ділянках 2 та 3 не виявлено розмір кладки, який би переважав. Найбільшу кількість кладок синиця велика розпочала у другій декаді квітня (n = 28) (1) та у першій декаді травня (n = 25) (2), а синиці блакитні приступили до відкладання яєць у третій декаді квітня (n = 17) (1), у першій (n = 2) та другій (n = 2) декадах травня (2). У НПП «Гетьманський» перевана кількість кладок синицею великою та синицею блакитною розпочата в третій декаді квітня.

Reproductive ecology of the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in the conditions of the drainage canal of the Poltava mining and processing plant

Purpose. To investigate the reproduction ecology of the great warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus in the territory of the drainage canal of the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant in order to preserve the species in the conditions of a technogenic landscape. Methods. Field: bird counts on permanent routes. Statistical: processing of the obtained data. Results. The ecological features of large warblers within the drainage canal were studied. Biotope conditions, nesting adaptations, and population dynamics of the species were analyzed. A decrease in the nesting density of warblers from 11.8 pairs/km2 (2022) and 9.5 pairs/km2 (2023) to 6.2 pairs/km2 (2024) has been established, it is associated with several factors, but most of all it is due to disturbance during the nesting period and abiotic factors. It has been proven that drainage canals with dense riparian vegetation provide a favorable environment for nesting and feeding birds. The behavioral nesting strategies of warblers and their response to parasitism by the cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) have been studied. The reproductive period of the Great Warbler was approximately 41 days, depending on external environmental conditions (natural factors, food availability). The nests are located at a height of 120–160 cm above the water level to avoid flooding during rising water levels in the drainage canal. The average distance between neighboring nests was 28.3±3.5 m. Appropriate measures should be implemented to increase the number of the Great Warbler nesting population on the drainage canal. Conclusions. The role of artificial wetlands in maintaining biodiversity is described. Recommendations are proposed for the conservation of greater warblers by minimizing negative impacts, maintaining the stability of the drainage canal ecosystem, and regular monitoring of this man-made area

Features of Organization the Laboratory Practice on Chemistry in the Conditions of Distance Learning

В статье подробно описан ряд наиболее эффективных подходов к реализации лабораторного практикума по химии в условиях образовательного кластера «школа - вуз - предприятие».The article describes in detail a row of the most effective approaches to the implementation of a laboratory chemistry workshop in the educational cluster "school - university - enterprise"

Peculiarities of the Anatomy of the Valve of Coronary Sinus of Human

Purpose: To study the characteristics of the anatomical structure of the valve of the coronary sinus Materials and Methods: The investigation was perfomed in 120 the human heart preparations (60 women and 60 men). Used cell, constitutional diagnostic and statistical methods of research. Results: The damper coronary sinus found at 67.5% of the cases. For all types of Constitution prevails valve of coronary sinus Crescent shape. Catheterizations valves of the coronary sinus found in 82,7 % of cases. Summary: The data on the variability of the anatomical structure of the flaps of the coronary sinus people with different types of Constitution will determine the tactics when performing catheterization of the coronary sinus

Орнитофауна национального природного парка «Гомольшанские леса»

In the recreational zone of "Homilshanski Lisy" National Park 137 species of birds were identified during the period 1980–2015, of which 127 species nest, 8 winter, and 2 observed during the spring migration. The nesting species are distributed in 4 ecological groups dominated by dendrophylls (67 species), with fewer limnophylls-fresh water species (29), campophylls-open country species (16) and sclerophylls (11). Among the nesting birds 11 landscape-genetic faunal assemblages were distinguished, dominated by typical nemoral-woodland (19%), tropical (14%) and forest-steppe (13%) species. The average density of the birds nesting in the park amounts to 1.2 ± 0.2 with n overall density of 148.3 pairs/km route line. The habitat distribution of the bird population was relatively even. The most intensively populated habitat was upland oak forest, the least were pine and mixed forests. It was found that the communities of breeding birds in tree plantations changed due to the natural aging process of forests, which has led to an increase in the number of birds of prey (Falconiiformes), woodpeckers (Piciformes), secondary hollow-nesting birds. The bird communities of floodplain and steppe meadows, as well as habitats in residential areas subject to constant recreational pressure, changed under the pressure of anthropogenic loading. The favorable natural and geographical location of the park and the diversity of its habitats contributed to the emergence in the list of fauna of which are expanding their range. Analysis of the dominant species in the community points to a significant negative impact of recreational pressure on all habitats of the park. The dominant birds in the pinewood community list included only one campophyll, tree pipit (Anthus trivialis L.). For the steppe meadows, in addition to the dominant colonial birds that nest in holes , the yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava L.) was marked as subdominant. In general, in the recreational area of NPP "Homilshanski Lisy" 30 common species (24.2%, total abundance 0.198) nest on the ground. The variety and balance of breeding bird communities in most habitats is stable, but in the meadow ecosystem communities the uniformity of the distribution of species abundance is being significantly disrupted. The Jacquard and Sorenson performance indices for floodplain and steppe meadows are 0.4 and 0.5, and for grove and pine woods, respectively, 0.7 and 0.8. Taking into account the data of the cluster analysis, the distribution curves of shared abundance and participation indicatee sinanthropic breeding bird communities. It follows that anthropogenic pressure exerts the most significant effect on the birds’ occupation of breeding habitats in the recreational zone NPP "Homilshanski Lisy". The highest performance is characterized by the condition of the avifauna of forest habitats, such as oak forest and pine woods, the most threatened breeding bird communities being those of floodplain meadows.В рекреационной зоне национального природного парка «Гомольшанские леса» выявлено 137 видов птиц, из которых 127 гнездится, 8 прилетают зимовать, а 2 вида встречены в период весенних миграций. Гнездящиеся виды распределены по четырем экологическим группам (дендрофилы (67), лимнофилы (29), кампофилы (16), склерофилы (11 видов)) и 11 ландшафтно-генетическим фаунистическим комплексам (преобладают типичные неморальные (19%), тропические (14%) и лесостепные (13%) виды). Средняя плотность гнездования птиц в парке составляет 1,2±0,2, общая – 148,3 пар/км маршрутной линии. По биотопам население птиц распределено относительно равномерно. Наиболее заселена нагорная дубрава, наименее – бор и суборь. Изменения сообществ гнездящихся птиц древесных насаждений связано с процессом старения лесов, которое привело к увеличению числа соколообразных (Falconiiformes), дятлообразных (Piciformes), вторичных дуплогнездников. Сообщества птиц пойменных и степных лугов и селитебных биотопов зоны постоянной рекреации преобразовывались под давлением антропогенной нагрузки. Природно-географическое расположение парка и разнообразие его биотопов способствовало появлению в списке фауны видов, расширяющих ареал. Разнообразие и сбалансированность сообществ гнездящихся птиц в большинстве биотопов благополучно, но в сообществах луговых экосистем существенно нарушена равномерность распределения видов по численности. Наилучшими показателями видового богатства характеризуется орнитофауна лесных биотопов (дубравы, бора): показатели индексов Жаккара и Серенсена для пойменного и степного лугов составляют 0,4 и 0,5, а для дубравы и бора, соответственно, 0,7 и 0,8. В рекреационной зоне национального природного парка «Гомольшанские леса» выявлено 137 видов птиц, из которых 127 гнездится, 8 прилетают зимовать, а 2 вида встречены в период весенних миграций. Гнездящиеся виды распределены по четырем экологическим группам (дендрофилы (67), лимнофилы (29), кампофилы (16), склерофилы (11 видов)) и 11 ландшафтно-генетическим фаунистическим комплексам (преобладают типичные неморальные (19%), тропические (14%) и лесостепные (13%) виды). Средняя плотность гнездования птиц в парке составляет 1,2±0,2, общая – 148,3 пар/км маршрутной линии. По биотопам население птиц распределено относительно равномерно. Наиболее заселена нагорная дубрава, наименее – бор и суборь. Изменения сообществ гнездящихся птиц древесных насаждений связано с процессом старения лесов, которое привело к увеличению числа соколообразных (Falconiiformes), дятлообразных (Piciformes), вторичных дуплогнездников. Сообщества птиц пойменных и степных лугов и селитебных биотопов зоны постоянной рекреации преобразовывались под давлением антропогенной нагрузки. Природно-географическое расположение парка и разнообразие его биотопов способствовало появлению в списке фауны видов, расширяющих ареал. Разнообразие и сбалансированность сообществ гнездящихся птиц в большинстве биотопов благополучно, но в сообществах луговых экосистем существенно нарушена равномерность распределения видов по численности. Наилучшими показателями видового богатства характеризуется орнитофауна лесных биотопов (дубравы, бора): показатели индексов Жаккара и Серенсена для пойменного и степного лугов составляют 0,4 и 0,5, а для дубравы и бора, соответственно, 0,7 и 0,8.