black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Breeding density can be up to 5 nests.m" 2
. Clutch size 4-8 eggs, normally 5-6. Those
of 9-16 eggs are laid by two females. No second breeding. Incubation lasts for 26-28
days. Hatching well synchronized. The first broods appear at the end of April. In
July-August, juveniles and females aggregate in flocks of up to 3,000 birds and stay
along the coast of the Tendra and Dzharalgach bays. Part of the Black Sea population
overwinters in bays within the area of the "Chernomorski" reserve or moves offshore.
Most of this southernmost population overwinters along the Bulgarian coast. Diet
basically composed of molluscs (mussels predominate), small crabs and copepods.
Population trends. Decreasing, birds redistributing over the islands of Tendra bay.
Threats. Nest and chick predation by yellow-legged gull, reduction of mussel bed
area, hunting, fish-nets.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected in the "Chernomorski"
reserve.
Conservation measures proposed. Protection from gulls, reduction in fox numbers,
strengthening of protection regime in general, decrease pollution.
References
Ardamatzkaia, T. B., 1992. Changes of the species composition, numbers and
distribution of the "Chernomorski" reserve island ornithocomplex within the last 60
years. Natural complexes of the "Chernomorski" State Biosphere reserve: p.l 10-121.
(in Russian).
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