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Biometrics and breeding phenology of Terek Sandpipers in the Pripyat’ Valley, S Belarus

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Pages
54 – 58

Published
1 August 06

Authors
Natalia Karlionova, Magdalena Remisiewicz, Pavel Pinchuk

Correspondence
Natalia Karlionova
karlionova@tut.by
Institute of Zoology, Belarussian National Academy of Sciences, Academichnaya Str. 27, 220072 Minsk, Belarus.

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We present data on the breeding phenology and biometrics of Terek Sandpipers from the isolated westernmost population in the Pripyat’ river valley, S Belarus, close to the border with Ukraine. Studies were conducted on floodplain islands between the beginning of April and mid-July during 1996–1999 and 2002–2006. Over the years, the first arrivals appeared during 10–26 April (median 14 April), first eggs were laid during 24 April to 5 May (median 30 April) and the latest egg was laid on 25 May, first chicks hatched during 19 May to 1 June (median 25 May) and the first fledged juveniles were caught on 23 June. We present biometric data for juveniles (at the post-fledging stage) and adults. The mean wing length of juveniles, just before departure from the breeding grounds in mid June, reached 96% of that of adults. Juvenile total head lengths were 91% of adult, and bill and nalospi lengths 85% of adult, but tarsus and tarsus plus toe lengths were the same as adults. On average, juveniles left the breeding grounds about 11 g heavier than adults, which had a departure mass near the lowest known for the species.