This year, scientists and volunteers conducted an annual count of birds wintering in Minsk and its surroundings. Due to the cold weather, the number of birds has significantly decreased: there are almost 40% fewer of them than last year's anomalously warm winter. Nevertheless, about 8 thousand individuals were counted, writes Sb.by.
Common Snipe
This year, most reservoirs have frozen over, so there are few remaining habitats for gulls and ducks. Nevertheless, specialists recorded 27 bird species, seven of which are Red Data Book species.
Among others, rare ducks were spotted on the Svislach river: a pintail (1 individual) and a wigeon (2 individuals).
Wigeon
And a real rarity was the encounter with two common snipes (a species of waders). This is a very secretive bird, difficult to spot even in summer in our latitudes, and its wintering here is a unique phenomenon.
Ornithologists note that although the total number of birds has decreased, Minsk nevertheless remains an important refuge for rare species during frosty periods.
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