The role of artificial nesting boxes and birds’ nests in maintaining vital activity of the Vespidae and Apidae families

Abstract

Background. During 2019‒2021, from the first decade of March to the third decade of July on the territory of northeastern Ukraine, ornithological studies on hollow-nesting birds populating artificial nestings were carried out. It is common knowledge, that in urban landscapes, the presence of wildlife is limited. Among the many different measures aimed at increasing the number of different groups of animals in urbanized areas, artificial nesting is the main solution for the reproduction and conservation of the population. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the role of artificial nesting in maintaining vital activitiy of the families Vespidae and Apidae. Methods. When checking and examining artificial nestings, 80 nests were found 69 of which were populated by representatives of the family Vespidae and 11 – by Apidae. For identification of nests and establishing the taxonomic status of representatives of the Vespidae and Apidae families in artificial nestings, keys were used. Results. In the territory of northeastern Ukraine, studies have been carried out in recreational areas: Homilsha Woods National Nature Park near Zadonetske and Gaidary villages (Kharkiv Region), Hetman National Nature Park near Klementove and Kamyanka villages, as well as in “Vakalivshchyna” tract near Vakalivshchyna village (Sumy Region). Among representatives of the Vespidae family in artificial nestings on the territory of northeastern Ukraine, two species ‒ Vespa crabro and Vespula vulgaris were identified; among the family Apidae – one representative species ‒ Bombus terrestris. Conclusions. Representatives of the families Vespidae and Apidae begin to populate artificial nestings from the third decade of April till the second decade of July (21.04‒10.07). On the studied territories of northeastern Ukraine, in Hetman National Nature Park near Kamyanka village, the number of nestings by V. vulgaris was maximal throughout all the years of study, besides, the number of individuals increased over the period. During inspections of the artificial nestings on the territory of the regional landscape park “Feldman Ecopark”, nestings of representatives of the Vespidae and Apidae families were found.