black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Biology. A breeding and, in some places, a migratory species. Arrives in April, last
birds in late May. Breeding begins in mid May. Normal clutch consists of three eggs
(2-5), nest is a deepening in the ground with light plant bedding. Colonies are usually
loose and mixed with terns and waders, although mono-species settlements can be
found too. Chicks leave the nests straight after hatching. Fledglings begin to
concentrate by early July, with adult birds always present. The major part of the
population leaves for winter grounds in August. Some birds stay till mid October.
Glareola pratíncola prey on flying insects, sometimes foraging on the ground picking
spiders. Feeding success depends on insect concentrations, and may be very low in
the areas where pesticides are applied
Population trends. A slow but constant decrease in breeding numbers.
Threats. Habitat transformation, cattle, (especially sheep) grazing, pesticides, high
predation, human disturbance at the breeding sites.
Conservation measures taken. Expansion of national parks in coastal areas, setting
up of water-body protection zones.
References
Siokhin, V. D., 1.1. Chernichko & T. B. Ardamatskaia et al., 1988. Colonial
Hydrophilic Birds of the South of Ukraine: Charadriformes. Kiev, Naukova Dumka:
176 pp. (in Russian).
Red Data Book of Ukraine, 1994. 353 pp.
Compiled by J. Chernichko.
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