Урбанизированная популяция тихоокеанской чайки на Южных Курилах

Abstract

Comparison of 2015's data on the abundance and distribution of Slaty-backed Gull nests in the settlement of Yuzhno-Kurilsk (Kunashir Island) with counts of nests and chicks conducted in 2020, permits to assess the changes that have occurred in the developing urbanized population within a shor-time period. The total number of gulls breeding on the building roofs has more than quadrupled: 80 nests in 2015 compared to 328, in 2020. All basic nesting patterns of nesting in the settlement correspond to those usual for large gulls in urbanized conditions: concentration of the nest mass in denser colonies on a few industrial and administrative buildings, nest locations near obstacles (pipes, superstructures, walls, etc.). Breeding success is high, especially in colonies (1.4 chicks per pair). Periodic struggle of people against gulls (nest destruction) leads to repeated clutches, which extends the nesting period. No other options available for safe placement of nests can cause this population nesting in the settlement.