NEW MATERIALS ON THE FAUNA AND DISTRIBUTION OF RARE BIRDS OF THE CHELYABINSK REGION
The main purpose of the research was to study the fauna and structure of the bird population in the regional protected areas of the Chelyabinsk region, as well as a number of objects that do not have a conservation status. The search for rare and scarce species, to which this work is devoted, was carried out on non-fixed transects and in the process of excursion surveys during daylight hours as part of the main tasks of identifying the fauna and structure of the bird population. The incidental nature of the identification of rare species in the surveyed objects explains the selectivity in the approach to writing essays in this research on certain species. The purpose of this research is to update information on the number, distribution, status and limiting factors of a number of bird species included in the Red Data Book of the Chelyabinsk Region (2017) and requiring inclusion in its new edition. The studies were carried out in 2017-2021 in all natural zones of the Chelyabinsk region. In total, 19 regional specially protected natural areas were examined, as well as a number of objects that do not have an environmental status. New data on the number, distribution, status and threats of 24 bird species from 11 orders have been obtained, which significantly supplements the information contained in the regional Red Data Book. New nesting sites of Mergus merganser , Falco peregrinus , Strix nebulosa , Accipiter gentilis , probable nesting sites of Gavia arctica , Pernis apivorus , Glareola nordmanni and Alcedo atthis were found. The facts of reproduction of Haematopus ostralegus in the places of previous meetings have been confirmed. New vagrants of Pelecanus onocrotalus , Buteo rufinus , Circaetus gallicus and Hieraaetus pennatus have been recorded. Data were obtained indicating a further northward expansion of the Tetrax tetrax range. Columba oenas , P icus canus and Picoides tridactylus are in poor condition. Cinclus cinclus and Zoothera varia are in satisfactory condition and the abundance of Ocyris rusticus is extremely low. It is advisable to give the status of a protected area at a level not lower than the integrated regional reserve to the Leonovskie Gory tract to preserve the nesting of Falco peregrinus , Aquila heliaca , as well as a number of other rare bird species. To prevent the death of many vulnerable species, including Buteo rufinus , it is necessary to equip power lines with bird protection devices. The data obtained on Columba oenas allow us to hope that the process of recurrent urbanization, which has been observed in this species in recent decades in Ukraine and southern Russia, will allow it in the future to master the urbanized landscape as nesting stations in the Southern Trans-Urals and, thus, over time, to restore its numbers.