Diurnal birds of prey in Yakutsk and its suburbs

Investigations of a little-studied group of diurnal birds of prey in the territory of Yakutsk and its vicinity were carried out in 2008-2023. The materials on their numbers were obtained on the basis of foot survey routes, on arrival and departure - by interviewing the population and original observations. According to the literature data and the results of the surveys, 12 species of the Falconiformes order are relatively regularly found in the city and its vicinity. Kestrel and kite are common in the breeding period, while the Eastern Harrier, quail, lapwing and grouse are less common. Other species of diurnal birds of prey occasionally visit the city in search of food, during the wanderings and seasonal migrations. Kestrels were found to be nesting in the city centre and on its periphery, Eastern Harrier on lakes located within the city and in the vicinity, and Red-crowned Lapwing on dacha plots. The first nesting of Kestrels in the city was recorded in 1977, Eastern Harrier - several years ago, and Redpoll - in 2021, therefore, it can be assumed that penetration of some species of these birds into the built-up part of the city is relatively recent. Among very rare migratory species, Steller's sea eagle, steppe eagle, harrier and black vulture were recorded in the vicinity of the city.

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