Ornithocomplex of the South-Eastern part of the Vasyugan swamp (Tomsk Oblast, Russia)

One of the largest in the world, the Vasyugan Swamp System is situated at the interflow of the Ob’ and Irtysh Rivers, on the territory of the Vasyugan Plain, lying within the borders of Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Omsk oblasts. The Vasyugan Swamp includes not only typical swamps, but also various types of forests, lakes and rivers, as well as other biotopes. The main objective of the research was to identify the species composition and quantity of the birds living on this territory, and also to assess the spring migration of the birds flying through the Vasyugan Plain as well as the features of the stay of birds, included on the Red List of Tomsk oblast. The summer-autumnal communities of birds were studied in June-July and September, 2008 in the Teterenka River and the Andarma River basins. Generally, nine routes with a general extent of 160 km are covered. The routes passed five main habitats: mixed forests in the river valleys, dark-coniferous and small-leaved forests, overgrown fields with different forestation stage and bogs with pines. In the spring of 2009, the lake system of Beloye lake situated at the border of Tomsk and Novosibirsk oblasts was examined. In total, eight foot and boat routes with a general extent about 70 km on three types of biotopes were carried out: coastal, raised bogs and water areas of lakes. The system of Beloye lake is unique owing to the fact that it is the only water territory possessing sufficient food supply for the waterfowls on the vast area of rather monotonous swamp complexes. The main function of this system is to transit the lake, providing recreation for birds and collecting fodder for water-demanding species during seasonal migrations. Generally, 157 bird species from 16 groups were found in the period of works on the territories under investigation. It makes about 50% from the list of the birds species occupying Western Siberia. The maximal species diversity was observed on overgrown field sites near water reservoirs, while the minimal - directly on swamp sites. The quantity of the birds on these sites also varies: from 700 to 100 exemplars per square kilometer, respectively.The stay of 16 bird species is revealed on the studied territory, and five more bird species included on the Red List of Tomsk oblast (a half from which is also included on the Red List of Russia), probably, inhabit here. Thus, the Great Vasyugan swamp plays a significant role in forming coastal and water bird communities and deserves the status of wetlands of international importance.

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