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The number of birds in Ukraine has been constantly decreasing in recent decades. And it is not only about those species that are threatened with extinction. But also such common birds as finches, warblers, quails, nightingales, buntings, goldfinches, starlings, field larks, etc. In Ukraine, over the past decades, they have become many times less.
Why?
Most likely, there are many reasons here and they may differ for each species:
- widespread use of toxic chemicals and non-compliance with the technology of their use
- a large number of homeless cats and free-roaming cats
- a significant reduction in the number of insects that serve as food for birds
- reduction of old hollow trees and dead wood
- climate change, etc.
Why are birds singing less and less in our parks and what can we do about it? Andrii Kiyko – ornithologist, expert of the Danube-Carpathian Program on environmental education and enlightenment, functioning of institutions and objects of the nature reserve fund and wildlife conservation – tells about it.
“Where previously you could count the singing of 5 nightingales, today only one can be heard, and that is not everywhere. Where earlier the voice of male quails was constantly heard – today they are gone. Field larks, which were common in our fields and meadows until recently, are rare today. Ornithologists in Ukraine clearly observe the tendency to decrease the number of many species of birds in various ecosystems. And city parks and forest parks are no exception.
Now the parks are being actively organized. However, it is not uncommon that certain species of birds disappear from the park, or their numbers decrease, along with regularization. Is a park without singing birds a complete park?
Why are birds disappearing from parks?
During arrangement:
- old trees are cut down. Birds find shelter in the hollows of old trees. Here they not only breed, but also warm up to survive the cold night in winter. In addition, many species of birds find food – insects and their larvae – on old trees.
- the grass is mowed everywhere, not leaving it until the seeds reach maturity. Many birds (such as goldfinches) feed on plant seeds.
areas with thick bushes and young trees are cleared and their number is reduced. Such areas are a hiding place for birds and a place where there is food – berries and seeds.
- prefer exotic species of trees and shrubs that are not attractive to our bird species.
Arrangement of parks is a good thing. They should be safe, comfortable and attractive. But it is necessary to do this, taking into account the needs of birds. Such parks will be attractive not only visually, but also more interesting in educational and cognitive aspects and will attract the singing of birds.
In addition, city parks can be a place that supports the populations of even endangered species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, such as the green woodpecker or blue pigeon.
plant trees and bushes in parks that will provide food for birds. Berries: such as rowan, viburnum, cherry, cherry. And also with seeds – such as larch and ash.
provide a variety of conditions. It is worth leaving at least some areas a little “cluttered”, where rodents and insects can live, as well as weed plants that are not too attractive for people, such as burdock or thistle, the seeds of which are food for small passerine birds.
maintain in the parks existing, restore or create new small ponds or streams surrounded by natural vegetation, which will be able to provide birds with water, especially on hot days, partly with insects and other food related to aquatic ecosystems
leave dead wood and fallen leaves in parks. This will not only provide the birds with additional food, but also make the soil more nutritious.
save old trees and trees with hollows where possible.
hang artificial nesting boxes. Now, when there are fewer and fewer old trees in the parks, this should be the task not so much of students of biology clubs or schoolchildren, but adults who are responsible for the arrangement and functioning of the park.
during extremely low temperatures and high snow cover – it is worth supporting the birds with safe and nutritious feed.
caring for or organizing parks, it is worth involving not only landscape architects, but also scientists, in particular ornithologists.
