AVIFAUNA OF SOLONKA VILLAGE IN LVIV OBLAST: ANALYSIS OF OBSERVATIONS FOR 2010-2023

Abstract

This article analyzes the avifauna species in Solonka village, a distinct area situated on Povitriana Street, located on the southern outskirts of Lviv city. Data on bird species diversity were collected throughout different seasons from 2010 to 2023. Over this period, a total of 63 bird species were observed. Between 2010 and 2016, there were 46 nesting species. Anthropogenic factors significantly influence the species diversity and population of birds in Solonka village. Gardens, summer cottages, areas adorned with fruit trees, sewage treatment plants, and ornamental plantings near houses provide birds with food, shelter, and nesting opportunities. The primary causes of mortality among both young and adult birds each year are the presence of a large number of stray cats and dogs. During the winter months, local residents actively feed passerine birds. Additionally, each year, some nests and chicks are unintentionally disturbed by children and teenagers. The avian population in the area is predominantly composed of small birds that inhabit trees and shrubs. From 2022 to 2023, we observed birds belonging to six orders: Ancerinae (Anseriformes), Falconidae (Falconiiformes), Galliformes (Galliformes), Columbidae (Columbiformes), Woodpeckers (Piciformes), Old world sparroews (Passeriformes). In 2021, The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous Linnaeus, 1758) were observed. They were registered in separate winters. In the winter of 2022, for the first time during 13 years of observations, the marsh tit (P. palustris Linnaeus, 1758), the crested tit (P. cristatus Linnaeus, 1758), the common redpoll (Acanthis flammea Linnaeus, 1758) and the short-toed brachydactyla (C. brachydactyla Brehm, 1820) and the falcon (Falconidae). Martins and terns (Laridae), the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis Linnaeus, 1758), and gray heron (Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758) regularly visit reservoirs in the vicinity of Solonka village. The listed species do not nest here. The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus Linnaeus, 1758) and Eurasian coots (Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758) nest in the ponds every year. There are known cases of mallard nesting. After 2010 jackdaws and owls stopped nesting on the surveyed territory.
The migration route of the gray crane (Grus grus Linnaeus, 1758) and the white stork (Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758) passes through the territory of Solonka village, where these birds are regularly observed during both autumn and spring migrations.
In general, the number of bird species observed in the area of Solonka village is lower than that in the residential area of Lviv. In Lviv, a total of 84 bird species were recorded between 2006 and 2018. In contrast, our surveys in the Solonka village area have documented only 63 species of birds. This indicates a difference of 20 bird species between the two locations we studied. Our observations span the period from 2010 to 2023.
To put this into perspective, in 1994, Lviv was home to 197 bird species. This significant decrease in species diversity over the last three decades can be attributed to various factors, with one of the most prominent being the substantial transformation of biotopes.