THE COMPOSITION OF THE AVIFAUNA ON THE LUPILOR GROUND IN THE MIGRATORY PERIOD

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1 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii Al.I. Cuza Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LI, 2005 THE COMPOSITION OF THE AVIFAUNA ON THE LUPILOR GROUND IN THE MIGRATORY PERIOD BY ION CONSTANTIN 1 ; POCORA VIOREL 1 Key words: birds, avifauna diversity and abundance Between and , and , the migration periods of birds, we have made forays on the field of Lupilor Ground (Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve). We have estimated the composition of the avifauna in the migratory period based on the ornithological observations and rings too. Lupilor Ground is as a bottleneck for the migratory birds, which are here in a large number in autumn and spring. The greater diversity of habitats: meadows with salty plants, psamophile plants, reed bed, woods of young willows and small trees vegetation creates the premises for a large number of species and specimens presence, in the migration period, larger than in other zones alike areas: Chituc Ground or Sinoe Ground. Introduction Between and , and , the migration periods of birds, we have forays on the field of Lupilor Ground (Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation). We have made ornithological observations and rings is the birds that we have captured with ornithological mist-nets. We mention that the ringings were possible thanks to two members of BTO- British Trust for Ornitology (Phill Belman and Mike Reed), whose help was very important. We have estimated the composition of the avifauna in the migratory period based on the ornithological observations and rings, too. Material and methods The strictly protected Lupilor Ground area has a surface of 2075 ha. It is in the near North at the Lake Golovita and East to South East it is the Lake Sinoe. The Lupilor Ground is surrounded by the Zmeica and Sinoe lakes, being acctualy a strip between these two lakes. It is also separated in the two extremities, in north and south by the Channel 5 and Channel 2, which are marking the connection between the two lakes mentioned before [8]. The surface of the ground is covered by a steppe vegetation [4], plants of m high, and in the east there are various zones and areas dominated by a halophile 1 Al.I. Cuza University of Iasi

2 Constantin Ion and Viorel Pocora vegetation: Bulboshoenus maritimus var. compactus, Juncus gerardii, Limonium gmelini and Artemisia santonicum, favorable for the waders birds, herons and their allies. In the north are willow forest (Salix alba), and the stripe of a mixture of Eleagnus angustifolia and Hippophae rhamnoides and also near the lake Goloviţa, bands of reed (Phragmites australis). We used binoculars of 10x50 and field glass of 40x60 for the ornithological observations. The methods we used were: visual transect surveys and visual point surveys, so we managed to cover 10% of the territory every day. The ornithological mist-nets were placed in an area with bushes, young willows and reed. The length of the nets was of 150 m. The birds were captured, weighted, measured and ringed [3]. On the Lupilor Ground there were observed, by now, by the specialist birdwatchers, 300 species [8], a lot of them waders and terns which use salty areas as nets zone, and the temporary pond, especially those from the north as feeding areas. The central and southern Lupilor stepps with full protection regime present a big number of xerotermophil vegetal species. The entomofauna of the zone is also very rich, and represents the trophic base of the various species of insectivorous and omnivorous birds. The purpose of this work is to give a preliminary image of the avifauna [1], [5], [6], situation on the Lupilor Ground concerning it s composition, as by now there were made just some references with the character of information about the birds from the Lupilor Ground. Results and discussions During the spring migration we observed 126 species (Tab. 1). A lot of strips form less deep areas, and when it rains they are flood. Table no.1: List of species observed in spring No. Species Average number of SPEC IUCN observed exemplaires 1. Podiceps cristatus Pelecanus onocrotalus 67 3V 3. Pelecanus crispus 13 1E VU 4. Phalacrocorax carbo Phalacrocorax pygmaeus 12 1V LR 6. Botaurus stellaris 1 3(V) 7. Ixobrychus minutus 3 3(V) 8. Egretta garzatta 20 3D 9. Egretta alba Ardeola ralloides 9 3V 11. Ardea purpurea 2 3(D) 206

3 The composition of the avifauna on the Lupilor Ground in the migratory period No. Species Average number of SPEC IUCN observed exemplaires 12. Ardea cinerea Nycticorax nycticorax 28 3D 14. Plegadis falcinellus 15 3V 15. Platalea leucorodia 1 3V 16. Ciconia ciconia 1 2D 17. Cygnus olor Anser anser Anas platyrhyncos Anas strepera 12 3V 21. Anas acuta 2 3V 22. Anas querquedula 2 3V 23. Anas clypeata 10 3V 24. Tadorna tadorna Aythya ferina 24 2V 26. Aythya nyroca 2 2V VU 27. Haliaeetus albicilla 1 1R LR 28. Circaetus gallicus 2 3SP 29. Buteo buteo Accipiter gentilis Accipiter brevipes 2 2R 32. Circus aeruginosus Falco subbuteo Falco vespertinus 7 3V 35. Falco tinnunculus 4 3D 36. Phasianus colchicus Coturnix coturnix 2 3(V) 38. Gallinula chloropus Fulica atra 15 3D 40. Vanellus vanellus Pluvialis squatarola Calidris feruginea Numenius arquata 8 2(V) 44. Limosa limosa 6,1 2V 45. Tringa ochropus Tringa glareola Tringa nebularia 6 3(V) 48. Tringa stagnatilis 10 3(V) 207

4 Constantin Ion and Viorel Pocora No. Species Average number of observed exemplaires SPEC 49. Tringa totanus 2 2D 50. Tringa erythropus Philomachus pugnax Glareola pratincola Himantopus himantopus 11 3(D) 54. Recurvirostra avosetta 4 3(V) 55. Burhinus oedicnemus 1 3V 56. Larus cachinans Larus ridibundus Chlidonias niger 10 3V 59. Chlidonias leucopterus 4 3V 60. Chlidonias hybridus 20 3V 61. Sterna sandvicensis 3 2D 62. Sterna hirundo 30 3D 63. Columba livia domestica X 64. Columba oenas 1 2(D) 65. Columba palumbus Streptopelia decaocto Streptopelia turtur 14 3V 68. Cuculus canorus Asio otus 10 ad, 14 juv 70. Strix aluco Athene noctua 1 3D 72. Caprimulgus europaeus 1 2D 73. Apus apus Alcedo atthis 10 3D 75. Merops apiaster 9 3V 76. Coracias garrulus 2 2D 77. Upupa epops 9 3(D) 78. Melanocorypha calandra 30 3(D) 79. Alauda arvensis 6 3D 80. Galerida cristata Calandrella brachydactyla 1 3D 82. Riparia riparia X 3D 83. Hirundo rustica 18 3D 84. Anthus campestris 1 3V 85. Anthus trivialis IUCN

5 The composition of the avifauna on the Lupilor Ground in the migratory period No. Species Average number of observed exemplaires SPEC 86. Motacilla cinerea Motacilla flava Motacila alba Lanius collurio 9 3D 90. Lanius senator 2 2V 91. Lanius minor Oriolus oriolus Sturnus vulgaris Pica pica Corvus frugilegus Corvus corone cornix Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Acrocephalus scirpaceus Acrocephalus arundinaceus Hippolais icterina Hippolais pallida X 3(V) 102. Sylvia nisoria Sylvia atricapilla X Sylvia communis X Sylvia curruca X 106. Phylloscopus sibilatrix X Phylloscopus colybita X 108. Phylloscopus trochilus X 109. Regulus ignicapillus Ficedula albicollis Ficedulla parva Muscicapa striata 2,8, 113. Saxicola rubetra 2,1, Erithacus rubecula X Luscinia luscinia Phoenicurus phoenicurus 2 2V 117. Turdus merula 2,2, Parus caeruleus Parus major Panurus biarmicus Remiz pendulinus 1, Passer domesticus 16 3(D) 209 IUCN

6 Constantin Ion and Viorel Pocora No. Species Average number of observed exemplaires SPEC 123. Passer montanus Fringilla coelebs Miliaria calandra Emberiza schoeniclus 29 IUCN The ponds formed this way are favorable to the presence in a big number of the waders. Among them, Burhinus oedicnemus is a rare species in Romania which migrates and nestles on Lupilor Ground. We also observed on migration a big number of herons and their allies: Egretta alba, Egretta garzetta, Ardea cinerea, Ardea purpurea, strictly protected in our country. In reed beds we heard the continuous singing, without break, Botaurus stellaris- bittern, which in May month starts the breeding period. Around the ponds the geese and pelicans are spending the night: Anser anser, Pelecanus crispus and Pelecanus onocrotalus. Thanks to presence of big number of rodents, little carnivorous animals (hermine and weasel) and Odonate during the spring migration we could observe rare birds of prey species: Haliaeetus albicilla, Circaetus galicus, Accipiter brevipes and so on. Abundant food favourises the presence of long eared owl with five nestle pairs. Among rare paseriformes species in Romania and characteristic for the Danube Delta, we mention Calandrella brachydactyla, Melanocorypha calandra, Acrocephalus agricola, Acrocephalus palustris, species which find abundant food formed by little artropods and seeds. On Lupilor Ground we observed also a rare species of shrikes, Lanius senator, which appears sporadically in Romania, in the Danube Delta Reserve. The species, that we observed belong to protection categories Species (Species Protection European Conservation) [2], and the Red List IUCN (International Union Conservation Nature) [9]. The birds we observed during the spring migration are most of them among those in the SPEC categories as vulnerable species in a numeric decrease. On Red List category of IUCN are four species. The importance of the area consists in the fact that one of the species is in danger internationally, Pelecanus crispus, which is in on important numeric decrease in the whole world, finds excellent food places. Near Lupilor Ground, on Ceaplace island there is the 3-rd nestle Europe colony an in the number pelicans. To Channel 5, which is near Lupilor Ground in S-E we observed a mixed colony of Pigmy Cormorant (10 nestle pairs), mentioned on IUCN list, and Cormorant (213 nestle pairs). 210

7 The composition of the avifauna on the Lupilor Ground in the migratory period Regarding the rings made in the spring period, a total number of 2634 species were ringed. Among the species we have identified in the time spent there and which are rarely observed in Romania, but they constitute a common presence in migration on Lupilor Ground we mention: Accipiter nissus, Cuculus canorus, Acrocephalus agricola, Hippolais palida, Hippolais icterina, Oriolus oriolus, Lanius minor, Sylvia nisoria and so on. Among the rare species from Romania but which are for Danube Delta we catched on ornithological mist-nets Accipiter brevipes. In October, during the autumn migration period we observed 101 bird species (Tab. 2). Table no.2: List of species observed in autumn No. Species Average number of observed exemplaires SPEC IUCN 1. Phalacrocorax carbo 1 2. Phalacrocorax pygmaeus 5 VU 3. Pelecanus onocrotalus 4 3V 4. Pelecanus crispus 3 1E E 5. Ixobrychus minutus 1 3V 6. Ardeola ralloides 1 3V 7. Nycticorax nycticorax 2 3D 8. Ardea cinerea 2 9. Egretta alba 1 10.Egretta garzetta 3 3D 11.Plegadis fallcinelus 1 3V 12.Ciconia nigra 2 3R 13.Cygnus olor 11 ad + 4 juv. 14.Anser anser Anas platyrhynchos 12 3V 16.Anas strepera 12 3V 17.Anas acuta 10 3V 18.Anas clypeata 23 2V 19.Anas crecca 5 3V 20.Anas quequedula 25 3V 21.Aythia nyroca 7 2V VU 22.Perdix perdix 1 2V 211

8 Constantin Ion and Viorel Pocora 23.Phasianus colchicus 3 24.Haliaeetus albicilla 2 1R LR 25.Circus aeruginosus 2, 1 3V 26.Circus pygargus 1 27.Circus cyaneus 3 28.Accipiter nissus 8 29.Falco subbuteo 3 30.Falco columbarius? 1 31.Falco peregrinus 1 32.Falco tinnunculus 1, 1 3D 33.Crex crex 1 1V VU 34.Rallus aquaticus 1 35.Porzana parva? 1 36.Galinula chloropus Fulica atra 200 3D 38.Vanellus vanellus 9 39.Numenius arquata 9 2V 40.Larus ridibundus 20 2D 41.Larus cachinnans Chlidonias hybridus Sterna nilotica 1 44.Sterna caspia 1 45.Columba livia domestica Columba palumbus 1 47.Strix aluco Upupa epops 2 3V 49.Picus canus 2 3D 50.Alcedo atthis 5 3D 51.Caprimulgus europaeus 1 52.Alauda arvensis 2 3D 53.Galerida cristata 70 3D 54.Melanocorypha calandra 2 3D 55.Riparia riparia Lanius colurio Lanius minor Motacilla alba Motacilla flava Troglodytes troglodytes 5 61.Erithacus rubecula Luscinia svecica 1 212

9 The composition of the avifauna on the Lupilor Ground in the migratory period 63.Phoenicurus phoenicurus Phoenicurus ochrouros Oenanthe oenanthe Saxicola rubetra 2 67.Turdus pilaris 7 68.Turdus viscivorus 5 69.Turdus philomelos Turdus merula Sylvia borin Sylvia atricapilla 5 73.Sylvia curruca 7 74.Sylvia communis Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Acrocephalus melanopogon 3 77.Acrocephalus scirpaceus Acrocephalus agricola 1 79.Acrocephalus arundinaceus 5 80.Hippolais icterina 1 81.Hippolais pallida 1 3V 82.Phylloscopus trochilus Phylloscopus collybita Regulus regulus Ficedula parva Parus major Parus caeruleus 5 88.Panurus biarmicus Remiz pendulinus 5 90.Sitta europea 1 91.Pica pica 7 92.Corvus frugilegus 5 93.Corvus corone cornix Sturnus vulgaris Passer domesticus Passer montanus Fringilla coelebs Carduelis chloris Coccothraustes coccothraustes 2 100Miliaria calandra Emberiza schoeniculus

10 Constantin Ion and Viorel Pocora Legend: E- endangered; D- dangered; V- vulnerable; R- rare; VU- vulnerable; LR- Low risk; 1- Globally threatened; 2- Concentrate in Europe and with an unfavorable conservation status; 3- Not concentrated in Europe but with an unfavorable conservation status; 4- Concentrated in Europe but with secure European populations The small number of species is due to a long time absence of precipitations. There weren t ponds or flooded zones for the microorganisms to develop food for some aquatic and semi aquatic birds. The fine good weather favourised migratory birds to stay a long time in passage places, to remake the fat stratum before leaving far away to south places in winter. So the time we were there, we didn t find any major changes in the qualitative composition of avifauna. Every day we observed some rare species on their way to rest places for food (Golovita Lake): Pelicanus crispus, Pelecanus onocrotalus, Egretta alba, Egretta garzetta, Haliaeetus albicilla. Pelecanus crispus is always leaving later than the common one, this is why it is present in a big number on Lupilor Ground in October. Pelicans find enough fish on the lakes that surround the ground, this is why their presence is favorised here. Haliaeetus albicilla, a low disappearance risk species (IUCN) finds abundant food like little birds, rodents, fish. Daily we observed 3 exemplaires, two adults and one juvenile. The absence of rain had also a positive effect especially on birds which feed on with rodents, locusts or mowers. We remarked in flying samples of Circus cyaneus or Circus pygargus which in this time eat especially locusts or mice that live in grass. In willow forest near the lake we observed a big number of insectivorous and frugivorous passerine. The majority were in migration to winter places from south and were trying to remake energetic reserves through food supplies: species of Acrocephalus, Phylloscopus or Turdus genera. For many of the Acrocephalus genus species the migration was over, except Acrocephalus melanopogon, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus and Acrocephalus scirpaceus even some of these species appear also in the reed bed of Moldavia at the beginning of Octomber. Five species that we observed are the subject of IUCN [9] Red List: Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Pelicanus crispus, Aythia nyroca, Haliaeetus albicilla, Crex crex. Two adults and a juvenile of White Tailed Eagle were observed every day flying over Golovita Lake and Lupilor Ground. A single Crex crex adult was identified fliying down under the ornithological mist-nets ( ). This specimen was lost during migration. It founds enough food on the grasslands. Regarding SPEC categories, the majority of the species we observed are vulnerable or in a numeric decrease in all Europe. 214

11 The composition of the avifauna on the Lupilor Ground in the migratory period As it concerns ringing in autumn birds were captured. We observed during our staying there, that in some moments of the day or in different days appear exemplaires waves of species, followed by groups of other species exemplaires. For this reason the diversity of the observed species was smaller in October comparing to May. In October there were captured individuals which in wild winters remain on grounds from the south side of Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation: Alauda arvensis, Galerida cristata, Melanocorypha calandra, troglodytes troglodytes, Erithacus rubecula, Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Phoenicuros ochrouros, Parus caeruleus, Parus major, Turdus philomelos, Turdus merula, Panurus biarmicus, Remiz pendulinus, Fringilla coelebs, Carduelis chloris, Coccothraustes coccothraustes, Miliaria calandra, Emberiza schoeniculus, or which migrate on very long distances to the south of Sahara or Far Eastward and they need long periods of rest in order to accumulate enough energetic reserves: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, Acrocephalus melanopogon. In ornithological mist-nets rare species were captured for wet zones from Romania: Alcedo atthis, Accipiter nissus, which it is a winter visitor, Caprimulgus europaeus, species, very difficult to observe during the day, Ficedula parva and so on. Conclusions We consider that Lupilor Ground is an excellent resting and feeding place for migratory and nestling birds. Lupilor Ground is as a bottleneck for the migratory birds, which are here in a large number in autumn and spring. The greater diversity of habitats: meadows with salty plants, psamophile plants, reed bed, woods of young willows and small trees vegetation creates the premises for a large number of species and specimens presence, in the migration period, larger than in other zones alikeareas: Chituc Ground or Sinoe Ground [6]. Following the framing of observed bird species the migration period in SPEC and IUCN categories we observe one more time the importance of the zone for the passage of the birds. (60 % of the species we have inventoried are in SPEC categories and 5 species in IUCN categories. Considering that three years ago the vegetation from Lupilor Ground burnt, the vegetation has recovered very quickly, sheltering a great diversity of arthropods and micromammals, favourable for birds feeding. Acknowledgements: I thank to Mr. Phill Belman, Mr. Mike Reed (members of Bird Trust for Ornithology, England) and also to Mr. dr. Botond Kiss (Danube Delta Instiutute), Mr. Attila Sandor (Romanian Ornithological Society) who helped us go and ring the birds on Lupilor Ground. 215

12 Constantin Ion and Viorel Pocora Bibliography 1. Bertel, B., Delin, H., Svensson, L., Pasarile din Romania si Europa. Versiunea romaneasca, Munteanu D., Octopus Pubblishing Group Ltd. 2. Heath, Melanie, Borggreve, Carolien, Peet, Nicholas, European Bird Populations, Estimates and Trends, Birdlife Conservation Series Redfren, P., F., C., Clark, A., J., Ringer s Manual, Norfolk, UK, p Sârbu, I, Stefan, N., Oprea, Ad., Zamfirescu, Oana, Buletinul Grădinii Botanice, Tom 9: Svensoon, L., Identification Guide to European Passerines, Ed Sturegatan 60, Stockholm 6. Svensson, L., Grant, J., P., Bird Guide, Harper Collins Publisher, London 7. Weber, P., Aves Histriae. Avifauna zonei Histria Rezervatia Biosferei Delta Dunarii, Ed. Aves, *** 9. *** IUCN (The International Union Conservation Nature)- The Red List of Threatened Animals Database, 216