During field research in the Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve, ornithologists recorded a Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)—a species that had not been observed in the Kyiv region for nearly 50 years.
“During field research in the Chernobyl Reserve, the ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) was recorded… Historical data indicate only two previous records of the species in the region: early April 1910 – E.V. Charleman observed a pair of birds in a flock of thrushes; March 24, 1976 – the outskirts of the village of Kozarovychi (observations by A.M. Poluda, A.D. Makarenko, A.I. Krokhmal),” according to a post on the reserve’s Facebook page.
It is noted that in Ukraine, the Ring Ouzel nests primarily in the Carpathian region. The detection of the species in the Kyiv region is likely related to migratory movements.
“Thus, this recorded case is an important addition to the data on the species’ spatial dynamics and confirms the need for further monitoring of the region’s avifauna,” the scientists noted.
The recent observation was made during joint research with representatives of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
The observer, Andriy Simon, is grateful to Tim Mussot and the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust for their ongoing support in conducting scientific research.
Photo: Andriy Simon.
