Rewetting the Vinogradovo Floodplain, Moscow Region, Russia: a project in support of wader populations
Info
Pages
77 – 80
Published
26 October 14
Authors
Alexander Mischenko, Olga Sukhanova, Christoph Zöckler
Correspondence
Christoph Zöckler
christoph.zoeckler@m-h-s.org
2Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung, Goebenstrasse 1, D-28211 Bremen, Germany
Files
Public Files
The abandonment of farmland on the Vinogradovo Floodplain of the River Moskva in the 1990s and reduced water levels led to overgrowth of vegetation and loss of important habitat for waders and other waterbirds. We report the first results of conservation actions to improve wader habitats, principally by controlled rewetting of the floodplain and preventing fires in spring. In the first year, 2012, the numbers of a variety of waders increased. In 2013, a period of heavy summer rain led to increased flooding and a decline in some species, especially Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis and Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, and an increase in species that prefer wetter conditions, such as Great Snipe Gallinago media and Common Snipe G. gallinago. Future rewetting activities and bird population monitoring will show whether such conservations actions have long-term benefits.