Yellow-breasted bunting Ocyris aureolus (Pallas, 1773) (Aves, Passeriformes) in the Northern European Russia

Abstract

Our studies of the distribution and abundance of the yellow-breasted bunting (Ocyris aureolus) were carried out on the territory of the Arkhangelsk region and in certain bordering areas of the Komi Republic in 2001–2022. A total of 57 meadow and meadow-swamp territories were surveyed, and a number of them – repeatedly in several years. In 2001–2011, the yellow-breasted bunting was found in almost all the surveyed territories, except some dry meadows and extreme northeastern floodplain lands in the lower reaches of the Mezen river. But already in these years, there were trends towards a decrease in its numbers, as indicated by the records carried out in the floodplain of the Pinega river for several years. In subsequent years, the yellow-breasted bunting was recorded on vast grasslands in the floodplains of large rivers only. A relatively high density was observed only in three (out of 35 surveyed) sections of flood meadows, in the floodplains of the Northern Dvina river and Vaga river. In most of the territories where it was found, only 1–3 individuals were recorded. In addition to dry meadows, it has ceased to occur in small-area floodplain meadows. Since the habitat conditions of the yellow-breasted bunting at the northwestern borders of its range have not changed significantly, the cause for this decrease in its numbers there can be considered the deterioration of habitat conditions during the flight and wintering.