Distribution of the black grouse, capercaillie, and hazel grouse (Tetraonidae) at the northern edge of their species range in the Nenets Autonomous Area

Abstract

This paper presents data on the distribution of the black grouse Lyrurus tetrix (L., 1758), capercaillie Tetrao urogallus (L., 1758), and hazel grouse Tetrastes bonasia (L., 1758) in the Nenets Autonomous Area (the northeast of the European Russian Federation). The study has revealed trends indicating an expansion of the distribution range of these species to the north. According to our observations, black grouse, capercaillie, and hazel grouse in the Malozemelskaya Tundra are located further north than in the published data – about 40 km for black grouse, 20 km for capercaillie, and 20 km for hazel grouse. In the Malozemelskaya Tundra, the northernmost black grouse and capercaillie were found in spruce forest islands, while the hazel grouse inhabited riverine floodplain forests. In the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, the capercaillie was the only grouse bird found further north compared to the published data, in the extremely northern islands of the forest within the Shapkina River valley. In the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, new registrations of the grouse (200 km) and ruffed grouse (100 km) were noted to the east of the known data, indirectly indicating an expansion of the distribution area of these birds to the north in the regions adjacent to the Nenets Autonomous Area. It was noted that the trends of expansion of the range of distribution of black grouse to the north are unidirectional with positive trends in air temperature in the Nenets Autonomous Area and with the processes of gradual overgrowth of woody vegetation in treeless areas located between the forest tundra and northern spruce forest islands.