MUSEUM OF NATURE

The first Museum of Nature on the territory of the Crimean Reserve was opened in 1926 in the Central Basin. The museum had two spacious halls: botanical and zoological, and about 2300 exhibits. An enclosure for wild animals and an aquaterrarium were subsequently created next to the museum. In November 1941, the German-Romanian occupation units passed through the territory of the reserve, which burned all the buildings and structures on the territory of the reserve. This is how the first museum died.

After the war, it was decided to place the administrative services of the reserve in Alushta. For this purpose, on the outskirts of the city, they picked up a surviving house that belonged to the merchant I.S. Igumnov before the revolution. The building was repaired and one of the rooms was allocated as a museum. For the general public, the second, revived, museum opens in 1957 (Putsatov St., 29). The zoologist Yu.V. Kostin became the head of the museum, and two years later, E.A. Pyasetskaya became the head of the museum. The museum had its own taxidermy workshop, and around the administrative building there was a small but wonderful park with old cedars, pines and cypresses. There was a small pool in the park where swans swam.

In 1973, under the leadership of the director of the reserve V.A. Lushpas are building a new three-story office building not far from the old one, where the first floor is given over to a new, third, museum (Alushta, Partizanskaya st., 42). A team of researchers headed by the arborist VG Mishnev is creating a new scientific project for museum expositions. Designers were V.A.Sokolov (member of the Union of Artists of the USSR), B.N.Chernyaev, N.G.Bozhko, P.N.Chistilin, V.G.Smirnov, B.A. Nikolin, V.I. Protsenko. On April 15, 1976, the third, renovated museum of nature of the reserve was solemnly opened. Realistically made dioramas of protected areas, stuffed animals give a complete picture of the nature of the Reserve.

Dendrozoo

In 1981, an arboretum with a total area of ​​6 hectares was created on the territory adjacent to the administration of the reserve. The arboretum was created in a landscape style, the enclosures harmoniously fit into the environment without disturbing its picturesque views.

Currently, 370 species of plants grow on this territory, including the Red Book high juniper, yew berry, pistachio tupolist, imodorum underdeveloped, Crimean cistus, snowdrop folded, etc. 15 species of animals are exhibited in the enclosures of the arboretum: red deer, European roe deer, mouflon European, wild boar, European fallow deer, rabbits, teleutka squirrel, griffon vulture, mute swan, black-throated goose, ducks, pigeons, pheasants, guinea fowls, buzzards.

The Museum of Nature and Arboretum of the Crimean Natural Reserve is an interesting and attractive sightseeing object, which has been visited by more than 1.2 million people since its opening.

ANIMAL WORLD

Invertebrates of the reserve There are about 3 thousand species and are represented by the following orders: spiders, ticks, centipedes, mollusks, insects. Among spiders, the largest, up to 35 mm, tarantula lives in deep burrows lined with cobwebs. Ticks are represented by a large number of species, of which special attention should be paid to the forest tick as a carrier of tick-borne encephalitis. Tick-borne viral encephalitis is an acute viral disease characterized by the development of severe clinical forms with damage to the brain and spinal cord, the development of persistent neurological disorders leading to disability and mortality. Prevention is a mandatory examination of the whole body within 3 hours after visiting the forest and contacting a doctor in case of a bite.

Insects are the most numerous and diverse class of animals characteristic feature which is the presence of 3 pairs of jointed legs in its representatives. Among the most interesting groups, the following can be noted: dragonflies (arrow, yoke, beauty), praying mantises. Of the Orthopterans - short-whiskered fillies, long-whiskered grasshoppers and crickets, the chirring of which begins to be heard that hour after sunset. The largest species is the steppe dybka, the body length of which reaches up to 120 mm. Hemiptera include various bugs. The most famous of the order of beetles is the Red Book Crimean ground beetle, which is a Crimean endemic. It feeds on snails, caterpillars and even the remains of human food. The Red Book stag beetle also looks very impressive. From the family of longhorn beetles in the reserve there are a large oak longhorn beetle from the lower vegetation belt and an alpine longhorn beetle from the upper belt. Hymenoptera are wasps, bees, bumblebees, and hornets, as well as ants, whose huge anthills can be found in the Yalta forestry. Butterflies, or Lepidoptera, attract the most attention. Among the most spectacular species, one can note the white-black subdalirium and the yellow-black swallowtail from the family of sailboats, and among the simple, background species, the burdock is most common. From the order of flies or Diptera, it is more often necessary to pay attention to horseflies, bloodsuckers and deer flies.

Vertebrates. Of the fish (6 species in total), the most famous is the brook trout, found in many mountain rivers. Occasionally comes across a Crimean barbel or marinka.

The amphibian fauna includes 4 species: lake frog - the main "singer" of mountain ponds; green toad; the IUCN Red List tree frog, or common tree frog, which spends an active life in the foliage of trees and descends from there only during the breeding season. The Red Book newt Karelin, which has a toothed crest that appears in males during the breeding season, in early summer, can sometimes be found quite far from its native reservoir - in winter it prefers to sleep under stones and snags of the forest.

Of the reptiles, lizards are most often seen: Crimean, rocky and agile. The fourth, rarer lizard, the yellow-bellied lizard, is more often mistaken for a snake by the townsfolk and, unfortunately, is persecuted everywhere. Real snakes are also found, in addition to the common snake, the common snake, so named for its color, and three types of snakes, the most common and most aggressive being the yellow-bellied snake. Its bite can be dangerous due to the infection introduced into the wound, and the size of adult specimens reaches a length of about two meters. The four-stripe snake is less common, and the Mediterranean relict leopard snake is very rare.

Birds- the most noticeable and common vertebrates. In total, 160 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve in the mountain-forest part in all seasons of the year. In the spring they delight us with their wonderful voices. Here the finch sings. His song is short, but very cheerful and provocative. The song of the blackbird is amazingly pure and melodic. However, the best forest singer is the song thrush. The woodpecker's drum roll sounds in the forest, the sonorous songs of tits and, of course, the calls of the cuckoo are heard ... In summer, the bird choir gradually fades away. Birds have a lot of trouble - it's time to feed the chicks. In the Crimean Nature Reserve, Red Book birds nest: short-toed eagle, black stork, imperial eagle, black vulture, griffon vulture, saker falcon, peregrine falcon, motley stone thrush. Common nesting species include spotted woodpecker, black-headed warbler, rattle warbler, robin, blackbird, Muscovite, chaffinch, the most numerous bird of the Crimean forests, and many others. Red-headed and yellow-headed kinglets nest in pine forests - the smallest birds in Europe, siskins and common crossbills. There are field larks, quails, motley rock thrush, the most cautious, mysterious and beautiful bird of the reserve, one of the best singers on the yayla. Only an adult male has a bright beautiful color. Here is how Alfred Brehm describes it: “The plumage on the head, on the front of the neck, on the nape and rump is a beautiful bluish-gray color, on the lower back it is whitish-blue or white, on the entire lower part of the body a magnificent bright rusty red color ... Singing stone thrushes are excellent, rich and varied, loud and harmonious, although at the same time soft and like a flute; their singing is also distinguished by the fact that clicking and even whole stanzas from the songs of other birds are woven into it. Females and young birds are more modestly colored.

The black vulture literally strikes the observer's imagination. She is one of the largest flying birds, with huge wings, up to two and a half meters in span. Vultures build their huge nests on the tops of centuries-old pines. With exceptional vision, birds are able to see carrion from dizzying heights. Without visible effort, they hover over the mountains for hours using air currents. But the most amazing thing is with what dedication the vultures incubate their only egg and care for the chick. The nesting period continues for a long four months. When the chick grows up and flies out of the nest, the “family” does not break up until next spring, the parents take care of the young vulture. Black vultures are listed on the European Red List as a globally endangered species. Given the special importance in the protection of black vultures, the Crimean Nature Reserve is included in the list of areas important for the conservation of bird diversity.

mammals represented by 6 orders, numbering 38 species. There are 5 species of insectivores. Of these, there are 3 species of voracious shrews, the smallest mammals of the Crimea: the lesser shrew, the white-bellied shrew and the lesser shrew. They have a very intensive metabolism and therefore, within a few hours, they definitely need someone to eat. The diet of shrews is based on insects and other invertebrates. Shrews easily eat food with a total weight of 2-4 times their own weight per day. The largest of the insectivores is the white-breasted hedgehog. It is not found very often, and mainly in the lower part of the reserve. Chiroptera, or bats - 16 species, the largest of the bats is quite rare - a giant evening bat, whose wingspan is slightly less than half a meter. Another species, one of the most numerous in the Crimea, is the dwarf bat.

Of the lagomorphs, the hare is the only representative of the detachment in the mountainous Crimea. A common but rare species. There are 7 species of rodents, of which the teleutka squirrel is the most noticeable - the largest squirrel in the CIS. In addition to large sizes, the teleutka has one more feature. In winter, her fur is silvery gray, her ear tufts are bright brown, and her tail is grey. In all other squirrels in winter, the color of the tassels of the ears and tail is the same. After acclimatization in the reserve in 1940, the squirrel multiplied quite well, however, during the epizootic of 1984-1986. almost completely disappeared in the reserve. At present, its population fluctuates between 60 and 110 individuals per different years. The natural enemies of the squirrel are the goshawk and stone marten.

From the family of mice, in addition to the gray rat or pasyuk, in some places a smaller, black rat has been preserved. Both live near human habitation. The house mouse also tries to stay there. After the melted snow, in the foothills, one can stumble upon traces of vital activity leading an active lifestyle in winter, other mouse-like rodents - the small forest and yellow-throated mice.

Predators are represented by 5 species. Of these, 2 species from the canine family are the fox and, in 2007, the raccoon dog that appeared in the reserve. It has been noted that raccoon dogs have been found in Crimea for about the last three decades, and until recently it was thought that only along the North Crimean Canal, however, since 2000 they have been seen in Bakhchisarai, and in August 2007 - in Alma forestry of the Crimean Natural Reserve , on the border with the Pionersky forestry of the Simferopol forestry. It is quite possible that in the near future these animals can master the territory of the entire reserve. The raccoon dog is the only representative of the canine family that hibernates in harsh winters. In the Crimea, true hibernation is not observed in these animals, but the metabolic rate in cold weather decreases to 25%.

Perhaps, only the fox can be called a real sedentary wild species from this family in the Crimea. Some zoologists believe that two subspecies live in the Crimea: the first is the common fox, which usually lives in the steppes, but is also found in the mountainous Crimea. The second is the Crimean mountain fox (endemic subspecies). It is smaller than usual, but has more fluffy and brighter fur, on the lower back has a characteristic silvery pattern in the form of motley ripples. Hunters, for a bright red, fiery color, call it a moth. It is found only in the mountains and is quite rare.

Wolves appeared in last years in the steppe Crimea, and, according to some witnesses, on Karabi-yayla. Wolves have not yet been documented in the reserve. However, their niche has been successfully occupied by stray dogs for many years. The reserve is home to 3 species of the mustelid family - the stone marten, or white-headed marten, which differs from the pine marten in a lighter color and coarser fur. It is not as closely connected with the forest as the forest one, and therefore it can inhabit rocky ravines and ravines. Often settles in the buildings of people - sheds, attics. The stone marten feeds on mouse-like rodents, sometimes birds and bats, loves to feast on fruits and berries. A relatively small, but insanely brave and bloodthirsty weasel is the smallest representative of the predatory squad. For daily consumption, one mouse per day is enough for her, but obeying the hunting instinct, she pursues more than one rodent a day in the narrow labyrinths of holes, even attacking prey larger than herself!

The Crimean badger living in the reserve is considered a subspecies of the common badger. In autumn, the badger intensively accumulates fat, which is used in folk medicine to treat colds and tuberculosis. Persecuted for this quality of its fat by poachers, the badger was on the verge of extinction.

And, finally, the largest and traditionally interesting for people are 4 species of artiodactyls. When visiting the Crimean forests, you can often see huge plowed areas of the forest floor. With a high degree of certainty, we can say that a wild boar has been here. Boars in the Crimea were primordial, so to speak, indigenous people from ancient times. Fossils belonging to wild pigs were found in the Kiik-Koba and Skelskaya caves. In the historical era, they have been noted since the Scythian-Sarmatian era, up to the first half of the 19th century, and around this time they were knocked out. On April 23, 1957, on the territory of the Crimean Reserve, in the valley of the Piskur stream, a tributary of the Alma River, 35 wild pigs were released, including 18 males and 17 females. As part of the released batch, there were 2 adult males - billhooks (two years old), the rest - young pigs and gilts. Wild boars were caught in the Pozharsky district of Primorsky Krai in January 1957 and belonged to the Ussuri subspecies of the wild boar (Sus skrofa continentalis), the largest in the territory former USSR. The wild boar took root well here after reacclimatization in 1957 and soon settled throughout the Crimea. In the spring-summer period, during the feeding of offspring, meetings with a wild boar can be dangerous.

European roe deer differs from the Siberian in smaller sizes. The horns, available only to the male, have no more than three processes. The characteristic alarm barking of a roe deer can often be mistaken for the barking of a dog. The main natural enemies of roe deer are the same stray dogs and foxes, from which young animals suffer the most.

Crimean red deer- an endemic subspecies of the European red deer, differing from it in size and details of the structure of the horns. In March-April, the old antlers of male deer fall off, and new ones begin to grow in their place. During growth, such horns, covered with velvety skin, are called antlers. By August, after the horns stop growing, the skin dries out and flakes off. At this time, the deer scratch their antlers on the trees, getting rid of the remnants of the cover already unnecessary on the ossified antlers. Now the number of deer in the reserve is about 1300 individuals.

European mouflons, 10 of which were delivered from Corsica, through the German fur trading company Moritz, and 3 from the Askania-Nova reserve, were released in 1913 on Mount Bolshaya Chuchel, where they acclimatized quite well. By 1917, there were already 30 mouflons. In the autumn of 1917, all the animals kept in the corral were released into the wild. The civil war and poaching almost put an end to the history of the Crimean moufflons. The population had too many weapons, and gangs hunted in the forests. By 1923, when the Crimean Reserve was organized, there were only 6-8 of these animals left. Protection and care did wonders, and now there are about 300 mouflons.

senior employee

Parshintsev A.V.

ABOUT THE RESERVE

Crimean nature reserve- the largest and oldest reserve of the Crimea. total area The reserve, including the Lebyazhy Islands branch, is 88,601 hectares. The reserve occupies the central part of the Main Ridge of the Crimean Mountains from Yalta in the west to Alushta in the east. On its territory, in the mountain-forest part, there are the most high peaks peninsulas - Roman-Kosh (1545 m a.s.l.), Demir-Kapu (1541), Zeytin-Kosh (1537). Many of the most important rivers of Crimea originate in the reserved mountains: Alma, Kacha, Ulu-Uzen, Avunda, Derekoika, etc. The slopes of the mountains are covered with forests - oak, beech, pine, and the peaks (yayly) are occupied by mountain-meadow steppes. The flora of the reserve is represented by more than 2500 species of plants and mushrooms, of which 42 species are listed in the Red Book Russian Federation and 22 species are on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. About 250 species of vertebrates live in the reserve, including red deer, wild boar, European mouflon, and roe deer. Of the birds, the black vulture (listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation) and the griffon vulture, the largest birds of prey in Europe, attract special attention of scientists.

One of the most popular excursion routes passes through the territory of the reserve - "Crimea reserved", which follows the Romanovskaya highway, built more than a hundred years ago. The hallmark of the reserve is the Museum of Nature and the arboretum, located in the city of Alushta.

HISTORY OF THE RESERVE

The history of conservation in the Crimea, on the territory of the Crimean Natural Reserve, has more than 100 years. The first reserved territory of Crimea, fixed by state documents of Russia, was the Reserve of a mountain forest in the Crimean mountains, approved in 1896 Imperial hunting department.

In 1913 during the forest management of the Beshuiskaya forest state dacha, the Administration of the royal estates on an area of ​​​​about 3700 hectares organized Reserve of the Imperial hunts.

After the February Revolution 1917. The reserve was nationalized and on the initiative of scientists of the Crimea and the Crimean regional government was created here. national reserve . The first director of the reserve was the zoologist V.E. Martino, and the assistant was the zoologist M.P. Rozanov. These dedicated people, often risking their lives, fought against poaching, protecting nature. Despite the political instability of life, devastation, civil war, in the period from 1917 to 1920, none of the six governments of Crimea canceled the status of the reserve. In 1923 (July 30) it was reorganized into the Crimean State Reserve. Its territory of 21,138 hectares was zoned: an absolute reserve (40% of the territory), a protected area (45%), and a pilot site (15%). It was the prototype of modern National Parks. In the 20-30s. research work is being intensively developed, weather stations, laboratories, and a museum of nature are being equipped. Scientific research is carried out by V.N. Sukachev, G.I. Poplavskaya, E.V. Vulf, N.D. Troitsky, L.I. Prasolov, I.I.

By 1941, there was a flourishing of activity in the reserve. Dozens of scientific articles have been published. The herd of ungulates has grown: deer by 30 times, moufflons by 29 times, roe deer by 10 times. In 1937 bison were again brought to the reserve for acclimatization. In 1940, the Altai Teleut squirrel was successfully acclimatized. The museum of nature, enclosures with animals, and a tourist route, which were popular, functioned.

During the Second World War, the employees of the reserve fought on the fronts or were in the ranks of the partisan movement. Many gave their lives for the liberation of their native land. Among them are the senior forester of the reserve A.P. Rynkovsky and senior researcher V.I. Bukovsky.

The war caused great damage to the reserve. All the cordons, the administration building, and the museum were burned. Scientific laboratories and a library were looted, most of the animals were destroyed. Special arson and logging destroyed a forest on an area of ​​2000 hectares.

After the war, activities in the reserve had to start literally from scratch. The reserve healed its wounds: new cordons were built, roads were repaired, the number of animals increased. In 1949, a branch was attached to the reserve - a unique ornithological complex "Lebyazhy Islands", where tens of thousands of waterfowl accumulate annually.

In 1957, the reserve was reorganized into a protected hunting economy (KGZOKH), whose tasks included, in addition to research and security work, economic activities. An example of such activity was the creation of trout ponds in the upper reaches of the river. Alma. In the spring of 1957, 35 wild pigs were brought to the reserve from Primorsky Krai in order to reacclimatize and enrich the animal world of the mountainous Crimea. At present, wild boars are typical animals not only of the mountainous Crimea, but also of some steppe areas of the peninsula.

In the 50-80s. there was a new rise and flourishing of the activities of the reserve hunting economy. During this period, such scientists as K.K. Vysotsky, P.A. Yanushko, A.A. Tkachenko, V.G. Mishnev, Yu.V. Kostin, B.E. Garin, L.A. Garina, A.I. Dulitsky and others.

In the early 70s, the scientific part of the reserve developed a project for a museum of nature, which took into account the new requirements of the time in the field of natural science and nature protection. In 1976 the museum was solemnly opened.

In November 1976, the hunting reserve and its Lebyazhy Islands became the base for the International Conference of Ornithologists, which brought together scientists from 33 countries of the world. This became possible after the inclusion in 1975 of the Swan Islands and their wetlands in the list of International Protected Areas.

In 1991, the hunting reserve was reorganized into the Crimean State Reserve, and a little later - into the Crimean Natural Reserve. As before, its main task is to preserve mountain protected forests, animal and plant diversity; research and educational activities.

SWAN ISLANDS

The ornithological branch of the Crimean Nature Reserve, "Lebyazhy Islands" is located in the Karkinitsky Bay of the Black Sea. The area of ​​the islands is 52 hectares. They are on the flyway of many species of waterfowl. The water area of ​​the bay with an area of ​​9560 hectares is allocated for the reserve. The surrounding area of ​​27,646 hectares has been declared a nature reserve.

In 1947, by the decision of the Razdolnensky District Executive Committee, the Lebyazhy Islands were declared a reserve. local importance and taken under guard.

In 1949, by Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR No. 85 of February 9, the Lebyazhy Islands were declared a state reserve and attached as a branch to the Crimean State Reserve.

Already in the first years of studying the avifauna of the islands, it became clear that the protection of this most valuable natural object within the existing boundaries cannot be effective, since large concentrations of birds during molting, wintering and during seasonal migrations stay in shallow waters and on the mainland coast, that is, outside the protected district. In order to improve the living conditions of birds and more effectively protect them from poachers, the Crimean Regional Executive Committee of the Council of Workers' Deputies, by Decision No. 1006 of September 29, 1961, approved a buffer zone around the islands with the inclusion of shallow waters with an area of ​​3500 hectares and part of the coast of Karkinitsky Bay with an area of ​​1500 hectares.

In connection with the construction of the Razdolnenskaya branch of the North Crimean Canal and the formation of two arrays of rice fields in the coastal part of the bay, which significantly changed the habitat conditions of birds in this zone, the Crimean Regional Executive Committee adopted decision No. Crimean Islands state reserve”, according to which the area of ​​the protected zone on the coast of the Karkinitsky Gulf increased to 10,000 hectares.

The popularity of the Karkinitsky Gulf of the Black Sea as a place of concentration of a large number of waterfowl and near-water birds on molting, wintering, migration, led to the inclusion of the Karkinitsky Gulf and the Swan Islands reserve, including in the List of objects of protection of international importance (Iran, Ramsar, 1971, group " A "MAR). After the ratification of the Ramsar Convention by the Soviet Union, the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of December 26, 1975 No. No. 1046 “On measures to ensure the fulfillment of the obligations of the Soviet Party arising from the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance mainly as Habitats of Waterfowl”, February 2, 1971. "and the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR dated February 26, 1976. No. 106 “On measures to strengthen the protection of wetlands of international importance mainly as habitats for waterfowl”. Based on these resolutions, the Crimean Regional Executive Committee issued a Decision of March 19, 1976. No. 132 on the expansion of the buffer zone of the Lebyazhy Islands reserve on the coast of Karkinitsky Bay to an area of ​​16,780 hectares, of which 15,960 hectares are in Razdolnensky and 820 hectares in Krasnoperekopsky districts.

In accordance with the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR dated 17.01.1978. No. 43 “On the expansion of the Black Sea Reserve, the Crimean State Reserve and Hunting Economy and the addition of the list of state reserves” to improve protection and reduce the anthropogenic impact on the natural complexes of the Lebyazhy Islands reserve, its area was increased by 9560 hectares due to the shallow waters of the Karkinitsky Bay. By the same decree, in order to strengthen the reserve regime, the state ornithological reserve "Karkinitsky" was organized with an area of ​​27646 hectares, which adjoins the water area of ​​the reserve from the north.

Currently, the protected areas in the area of ​​the Lebyazhy Islands have a total area of ​​54,038 hectares and consist of three parts with different status and protection regime: the Lebyazhy Islands Reserve with an area of ​​9612 hectares (52 hectares of the territory of the islands and 9560 hectares of shallow waters around them), ornithological reserve "Karkinitsky" with an area of ​​27646 hectares and the protected zone of the reserve in the mainland of the Karkinitsky Bay with an area of ​​16780 hectares. The listed lands are under the protection of the Crimean Natural Reserve.

The attraction of the protected islands is mute swan. In the people, this bird is considered the personification of marital fidelity. They live in friendly, inseparable couples. In the past, swans were mercilessly shot down, which led to a significant reduction in the number of this bird. Measures taken to protect waterfowl habitats have had a positive impact on the increase in both nesting and molting bird species. Suffice it to say that only during the molting period, more than 5 thousand swans accumulate here in some years.

The species composition of the birds of the Swan Islands during the migration is diverse. Of the ducks, the most numerous are the red-headed duck, mallard, teal-whistle and teal-cattle, wigeon, pintail. Coots on the autumn migration near the islands accumulate up to 7-8 thousand birds, white-fronted and gray geese - up to 2-4 thousand. White-fronted goose, bean goose and red-breasted goose do not form large clusters here. The number of shanks, gulls, terns, and waders is high on migration. Of these, the most numerous are: gray, great and small egrets, red heron, black-headed and gray gulls, red-throated and dunlin, mud snail, oystercatcher and white-tailed sandpiper, snipe, lapwing, herbalist, fifi and black.

In years with mild winters, a large number of birds stay near the islands for the winter. According to records, from 10 to 30 thousand ducks are kept here in different years (mallard, teal-whistle, wigeon, pintail, shelduck, red-nosed, red-headed, sea and crested ducks, large merganser, long-nosed merganser, goldeneye, loot), up to 2 thousand geese (white-fronted and gray), up to 2 thousand coots, more than a thousand gulls (lake, gray, silver), several dozen great white and gray herons, great shelducks, snipes, curlews, more than 2.5 thousand swans (mute, whooper). In the protected zone and on the territory of the islands, in addition to sedentary species, common and reed bunting, great tit, blue tit, greenfinch, whiskered tit, gray shrike, steppe and field larks, meadow pipit, common starling, millet, long-eared owl remain for wintering.

The list of birds noted in the area of ​​the Lebyazhye Islands (the territory of the islands, the water area and the buffer zone of the reserve) includes 255 species. Some of them (220 species) come here regularly for nesting, molting, migration and wintering. Others are very rare or random. These are the red-throated loon, black stork, common loon, sigmouse, common scoter, saker falcon, Siberian Crane, little bustard, white-tailed pigalit, sandpiper, yellowthroat, long-tailed skua, kittiwake, Syrian woodpecker, yellow-headed wagtail, black tit, red-headed shrike, nutcracker, red-headed beetle , southern nightingale.

Significantly more often, but not regularly, at the Swan Islands there are little cormorant, pink pelican, curly pelican, spoonbill, shelduck, white-headed eagle, greater spotted eagle, short-toed eagle, imperial eagle, Icelandic sandpiper, slender-billed curlew, barnacle tern, warbler, bullfinch.

The Lebyazhy Islands region is a natural laboratory for ornithologists. Scientists ornithologists and students come here every year to conduct scientific observations. In the protected area of ​​the Lebyazhye Islands, scientists and specialists constantly conduct phenological observations, study the impact of economic activity on the state of the environment.

Senior Researcher

Crimean Natural Reserve

Tarina N. A.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Wide complex scientific works has been held in the reserve since 1923, with the creation of the Zoological and Forest Laboratories here. Every year, for many years, students and graduate students have been practicing here under the guidance of the most famous scientists of our country - Academician V.N. Sukachev, professors G.I. Poplavskaya, I.I. Puzanov and others. The period from 1923 to 1945. characterized by the creation of the first herbarium of the reserve, the first list of the flora of the Crimean reserve G.I. Poplavskaya (1931), which lists 771 species of vascular plants, of which five are new to science (Scrophularia exilis Popl., Phelipaea helenae Popl., Anthyllis biebersteiniana Popl., Euphrasia taurica Ganesch. ex Popl., Sorbus taurica Zinserl.). The results of geobotanical and forest typological studies have been published (Poplavskaya, 1925-1934; Sukachev, 1931; Wolf, 1927-1941; Ivanenko, 1925; Troitsky, 1929).

Modern comprehensive studies of the KrPZ flora and its rare component began in the late 1950s. At that time, work was carried out on the description of yail (Chernova, 1951; Privalova, 1956, 1958), beech forests (Mishnev, 1969, 1980, 1986; Mishnev, Kostina, 1970), classification of oak and pine forests(Korzhenevsky, 1982; Didukh, 1990), types of forest vegetation (Vysotsky, 1957; Posokhov, 1963) inventory of the flora of the reserve (Kostina, 2010; Rudenko, 2010, 2014). Populations of some rare species were also studied: Cachrys alpina (Kosykh, 1978), Silene jailensis (Ena, 2001; Nikiforov, 2009, 2011, 2012), Sobolewskia sibirica (Nikiforov, 2009), Lamium glaberrimum (Nikiforov, 2005; Ena, 2006) , Pulsatilla taurica (Golubev, 2012), Allium siculum subsp. dioscoridis, Seseli lehmannii, Solenanthus biebersteinii (Rudenko, 2014). This period is marked by publications and collections concerning floristic discoveries of new species on the territory of KrPZ: Silene jailensis (Rubtsov, 1974), Allium albidum (Allium denudatum F. Delaroche) (Korzhenevsky, YALT, 1979), Anemone fasciculata (Kostina, 1979), Dryopteris villarii (Bezsmertnaya, 2011).

Since the end of the 60s, regular work on the study of mammals began to be carried out in the area of ​​the Swan Islands (Dulitsky A.I.), and from the mid-70s, floristic work was established (Kostina V.P.), in which employees of the Institute participated in some years botany of the Ukrainian SSR. For 10-12 years of stationary work, the ornithologist of the Crimean Reserve Yu.V. Kostin (who worked in the reserve from 1959 to 1982) ringed a large number of nesting and migratory birds, collected interesting material about the avifauna of the Swan Islands region, its uniqueness. Due to the large volume of publications using these data, the Swan Islands and the Karkinitsky Bay were included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Iran, Ramsar, 1971)

Since the mid-1980s, there has been a need to conduct comprehensive studies of the nature, depth and rate of change in the natural ecosystems of the reserve as a result of economic activities in adjacent territories. The workers of the reserve (N. A. Tarina) studied the state of bird habitats of the near-water complex in the conditions of the Swan Islands, identified environmental factors that determine the dynamics of the number of birds, as well as the mechanisms of adaptation of birds to changing habitat conditions under the influence of anthropogenic factors. And since May 1988. within the framework of the on a contractual basis, hydrochemical toxicological studies of the ecosystems of the Lebyazhy Islands Reserve were started by employees of the Laboratory of Radiobiology of the Institute of Biology southern seas(Sevastopol), which continued with short breaks until 1996. Over the years, material has been collected on the maintenance of living and non-living natural objects reserve and its buffer zone of organochlorine compounds (Zherko N.V., Shchepinova N.A., Chervyakov S.M.), mercury (Svetasheva S.K., Plotitsina O.V.), other materials (Ovchinikova S.S. ), radioactive strontium (Korkishko N.F., Arkhipova S.I.), cesium-137 (Popovichev V.N.); distribution of phytoplankton (Sergeeva L.M.) and zooplankton (Shcherbatenko P.V.) - indicators of environmental pollution; study of the mutagenic activity of waters on a yeast biomodel (Tsymugina V.G., Tereshchenko N.N.).

In 1990, an employee of the Nikitsky Botanical Hall for the first time for the reserve conducted a study of macrophytobenthos of protected water areas (Maslov I.I.). Since 1996, a complex group of employees of the Nikitsky botanical garden(Bagrikov N.A., Kostin S.Yu., Sadogursky S.E.), the reserve (Tarina N.A.) and the Tauride University named after V.I. Vernadsky (Klyukin A.A.). The issues of the influence of colonial bird species on the vegetation of the Lebyazhy Islands were studied, and work began on geomorphology, geobotany, and algology of protected areas. In 1998, a zoological and geobotanical survey of all cadastral areas of the Karkinitsky Bay international site was carried out under the Wetlands International program.

In protected areas (mountain-forest territory, branch "Lebyazhy Islands", its buffer zone, the water area of ​​the Karkinitsky ornithological reserve), a complex of monitoring works and studies is carried out annually under the "Chronicles of Nature" program, approved annually by the Scientific and Technical Council of the Crimean Natural Reserve.

VEGETABLE WORLD

The area of ​​the mountain-forest massif of the reserve is almost 35 thousand hectares. Forests cover 28.8 thousand hectares or 83.2% of its mountain forest area. Half of this area (almost 53%) is occupied by oak forests. Most often, plant communities of sessile oak can be found here. Communities of downy oak and pedunculate oak occur fragmentarily. The age of the trees is 85 - 125 years. They occupy the lower limits mountain range at an altitude of 300 to 600 m above sea level and are distinguished by the richness of plant species. Here grow narrow-leaved and tall ash, Caucasian and heart-leaved linden, Steven and field maple, common hornbeam, aspen, European and warty euonymus, wild apple and pear, several types of mountain ash, wild cherries and plums, dogwood, 9 species of hawthorn, wild roses, privet , svidina, skumpia, barberry, hazel and many others. In summer and autumn, there is a real fruit paradise, the forest generously endows everyone with the most delicious and valuable products.

Beech forests occupy 7490.1 hectares of the area of ​​the reserve and are represented by plant communities of forest beech. Beech forests grow on the northern slopes of the Babugan, Chatyr-Dag, Nikitsky massifs and the Sinap-Dag ridge in the upper and middle parts. Today in the Crimean nature reserve you can see magnificent stands of 300 years old, witnesses of past eras.

Under the canopy of a beech forest, there is a shade-tolerant coniferous plant - yew berry, which is a relic of the Tertiary period. The species is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. All parts of the tree, except for the watery-tasting seedling, are poisonous. Yew is a long-liver, in the reserve there are plants that are about 1000 years old. Yew wood is strong, hard, does not rot, is red in color, has a beautiful texture, the very famous “mahogany”, because of which people have exterminated the plant for centuries.

The area of ​​pine forests of the reserve is 3.5 thousand hectares. Pine forests are represented by plant formations of Crimean pine (Pallas) and Scotch pine. They grow in the middle and upper belt of the Main Ridge, fragmentarily on the northern macroslope of the Main Ridge. Scotch pine dominated forests are distributed at an altitude of 500-1450 m above sea level. Pine trees over 300 years old have been preserved on the southern slopes.

A grove of stinking juniper is unique on the slopes of the Black and Bolshaya Chuchel mountains. The plant is a relic Mediterranean species. The trees reach an age of more than 400 years, have a height of 7-9 m and a trunk diameter of 20-36 cm. Four more types of juniper grow on the territory of the reserve: red juniper, high and creeping junipers - Cossack and hemispherical. All types of junipers growing in the Crimea are listed in the International Red Book (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2011).

Vegetable world The reserve is striking in its diversity. The list of flora includes 1357 species of higher vascular plants belonging to 535 genera and 114 families (Rudenko, 2010), 183 species of mosses (Partyka, 1995), and 59 species of algae (Sadogursky, 2009). According to A.E. Khodosovtsev (2006), there are 344 species of lichenophilic fungi (lichens), 71 species of myxomycetes (Romanenko, 2001), and 480 macromycetes (Sarkina, 2011).

Analysis geographical structure showed that the flora of the reserve is Mediterranean in nature. The largest number of species of higher plants in the reserve (409) belongs to the day-Mediterranean type, which is 30.1% of the total number of species. Adventive taxa are represented singly (2.3%). Based on the list of Crimean endemics published by An.V. Ena (Ena, 2009), 60 species of the reserve belong to endemics (Rudenko, 2014). Among the most common species in the reserve are Steven's maple, Bieberstein's sapling, Steven's sunflower, Tauride bulrush, large-cup primrose, Crimean backache, yayla's cuff, irrigated saxifrage, etc.

Unique are the narrow local endemics of the slender mullet ( Scrophularia exilis), discovered by G.I. Poplavskaya in the upper reaches of the Avunda, as well as the Smolevka yaylinskaya (Silene jailensis), which grows in the same area.

More than 150 rare species included in the protected lists of various levels have been identified on the territory of the reserve. Thus, 42 species of plants and fungi are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (2005), including Crimean asphodelina, multi-leaved onosma, Crimean saffron, steveniella satyrioides, pale orchis, belladonna belladonna, etc.

The European Red List lists 127 species of higher vascular plants in the reserve. Of these, they have the status of Endangered (endangered) - 1 species: steveniella satyrioides (Steveniella satyrioides); status Vulnerable (vulnerable) - 3 species: purple lagozeris (Crepis purpurea), multi-leaved osma (Onosma polyphylla), Iberian palmroot (Dactylorhiza iberica); Near Threatened status (endangered) - 5 species: small-leaved nappe (Epipactis microphylla), real lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), dandelion orchid (Anacamptis morio), round-leaved chink (Lathyrus rotundifolius.), white-flowered onion (Allium albiflorum); Least Concern status (least problematic) – 110 species; status Data Deficient - (insufficient data) - 8 types. The same list includes 9 species protected by the Berne Convention and 38 species protected by CITES.

M.I. Rudenko, Ph.D.,

head of scientific department

REGIMEN AND PROTECTION OF RESERVES

ORGANIZATION OF PROTECTION SERVICE IN STATE NATURAL RESERVES

According to Article 33 of the Federal Law "On Specially Protected Natural Territories" dated March 14, 1995 No. 33-F3, the protection of natural complexes and objects in the territories of state natural reserves (hereinafter referred to as reserves) and national parks is carried out by a special state inspection for the protection of territories of reserves and national parks, whose employees are part of the staff of the relevant environmental institutions.

State inspectors have been formed with the aim of strengthening the protection of natural complexes and objects and monitoring compliance with the established regime and other requirements of environmental legislation. In their activities, state inspectors are guided by the legislation of the Russian Federation on specially protected natural areas, other legislative and regulatory legal acts, including regulatory legal acts of the Ministry natural resources of the Russian Federation, acts of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, these Guidelines, orders and orders of the director of the reserve ( national park).

The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Code of Administrative Offenses) and the Federal Law "On Specially Protected Natural Territories" grant state inspectors for the protection of territories of state natural reserves and national parks the following rights:

Deliver (forcibly escort) an individual for the purpose of drawing up a protocol (if it is impossible to draw it up on the spot), to the police station or to another office (Article 27.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). That is, the state inspector has the right to deliver the violator also to the premises of the reserve or national park, which was not provided for by previous legal acts. Delivery must be made as soon as possible. A protocol is drawn up on the delivery or a corresponding entry is made in the protocol on an administrative offense.

Carry out a personal search and search of things (Article 27.7. of the Code of Administrative Offenses): carried out in order to detect the instruments of committing or objects of an administrative offense; a personal search is carried out by a person of the same sex as the person being searched in the presence of two attesting witnesses of the same sex;

If necessary, photography, filming, video recording, other established methods of fixing material evidence are used;

Carry out inspection (i.e. examination) vehicle(Article 27.9. Administrative Code):

It is carried out in order to detect the instruments of committing or objects of an administrative offense;

- if necessary, photography, filming, video recording, other established methods of fixing material evidence are used;

- To seize things and documents (Article 27.10 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

- To seize goods, vehicles and other things (Article 27.14. Administrative Code), which were the instruments of committing or subjects of an offense:

— Draw up protocols on administrative offenses (Article 28.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) provided for in Article 8.39 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (violations of the regime or other rules for environmental protection and the use of natural resources in specially protected natural areas);

Provided for in Part 1 of Article 19.4. Code of Administrative Offenses (disobedience to a lawful order of a person exercising state control);

Provided for in Part 1 of Article 19.5. Code of Administrative Offenses (failure to comply with a lawful order of an official exercising state control);

Provided by Art.19.7. Code of Administrative Offenses (failure to provide information (information), the provision of which is provided for by law).

- Issue rulings on initiating a case on an administrative offense and carrying out an administrative offense (Article 28.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

— Check (Article 34 of the Federal Law “On PAs”) permissions for the right to stay in the territories of nature reserves and national parks from persons located in these territories;

Documents for the right to carry out nature management and other activities in the territories of nature reserves and national parks and their protected zones.

— To detain in the territories of nature reserves, national parks and their buffer zones persons who have violated the legislation of the Russian Federation on specially protected natural areas (Article 34 of the Federal Law “On PAs”).

- To freely visit any objects located in the territories of nature reserves, national parks, their protected areas to verify compliance with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation on specially protected natural areas (Article 34 of the Federal Law "On PAs").

– In the performance of official duties (Article 34 of the Federal Law “On PAs”):

use special means in accordance with the established procedure - handcuffs, rubber sticks, tear gas, devices for the forced stop of vehicles, service dogs, carry, store and use service firearms.

Also enjoy all the rights of officials of the state forest protection and other federal executive authorities in the field of environmental protection (Article 34 of the Federal Law "On Protected Areas").

The rights of officials of the state forest guard are provided for in Article 77 of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation and the Regulations on the State Forest Guard of the Russian Federation, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 20, 2006 No. 150.

The rights of officials (state inspectors) of other federal executive bodies in the field of environmental protection are established by Article 66 of the Federal Law "On Environmental Protection" dated January 10, 2002 No. 7-FZ, including:

visit organizations, objects of economic and other activities, regardless of the form of ownership, including objects subject to state protection, defense facilities, civil defense facilities, to get acquainted with documents and other materials necessary for the implementation of state environmental control;

check compliance with regulations, state standards and other regulatory documents in the field of environmental protection, the operation of treatment facilities and other neutralizing devices, controls, as well as the implementation of plans and measures for environmental protection;

check compliance with the requirements, norms and rules in the field of environmental protection during the placement, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of production and other facilities;

check the fulfillment of the requirements specified in the conclusion of the state environmental expertise, and make proposals for its implementation;

present demands and issue instructions to legal entities and individuals to eliminate violations of environmental protection legislation (at the same time, requirements to limit, suspend or terminate the activities of legal entities and individuals carried out in violation of environmental protection legislation are considered by a court or arbitration court);

to stop and inspect vehicles, check weapons and other tools for obtaining objects of the animal world, products received from them, including during its transportation, in places of storage and processing.

In addition to the above rights, the chief state inspectors for the protection of reserves and national parks and their deputies have the right to:

Consider cases of administrative offenses (Article 23.25. Code of Administrative Offenses), provided for by Article 8.39. Code of Administrative Offenses (violations of the rules for the protection and use of natural resources in specially protected natural areas).

According to Art. 29.6. Administrative Code cases on administrative offenses are considered within 15 days from the date of receipt by the official authorized to consider the case, the protocol on administrative offense and other materials of the case. According to Art. 4.5. The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation may not issue a decision on a case on violation of environmental protection legislation after one year has elapsed from the date of the commission of an administrative offense, and in the case of a continuing offense - from the day it was discovered.

In case of refusal to initiate a criminal case or its termination, but if there are signs of an administrative offense in the actions of the violator, an administrative penalty may be imposed no later than one month from the date of the decision to refuse to initiate a criminal case or to terminate it.

— Bring claims to individuals and legal entities for the recovery of funds in favor of state nature reserves and national parks to compensate for damage caused to natural complexes and objects of reserves, national parks, their buffer zones as a result of violations of the established regime (Article 34 of the Federal Law “On SPNA” ).

Prohibit economic and other activities that do not comply with the established regime of state nature reserves, national parks, their protected zones (Article 34 of the Federal Law "On PAs").

Submit materials on violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation on specially protected natural areas to law enforcement agencies.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR VIOLATION OF THE LEGISLATION ON SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS

2.1. Administrative responsibility.

2.1.1. General requirements.

The issue of bringing an individual or legal entity to administrative responsibility should be resolved in strict accordance with the requirements of Art. 1.5. Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses (hereinafter referred to as the Code of Administrative Offenses):

In accordance with Art. 2.9. of the Code of Administrative Offenses, with the insignificance of the committed administrative offense, the official authorized to resolve the case may release the violator from administrative responsibility and confine himself to an oral remark. In this case, according to Article 29.9. The Code of Administrative Offenses, based on the results of the consideration, issues a decision to terminate the proceedings on the case of an administrative offense.

According to Art. 2.7. The Code of Administrative Offenses is not an administrative offense when a person causes harm to legally protected interests in a state of emergency, i.e. to eliminate a danger that directly threatens the person and rights of this person or other persons, as well as the legally protected interests of society or the state, if this danger could not be eliminated by other means and if the harm caused is less significant than the harm prevented.

According to Art. 2.8. The Code of Administrative Offenses is not subject to administrative liability of an individual who, at the time of committing unlawful acts, was in a state of insanity, i.e. could not realize the nature and wrongfulness of his actions due to chronic or temporary mental disorder, dementia or other mental illness.

Administrative liability for violation of the legislation on specially protected natural areas is established by Article 8.39 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

Article 8.39. Violation of the rules for the protection and use of natural resources in specially protected natural areas.

Violation of the established regime or other rules for the protection and use of the natural environment and natural resources in the territories of state nature reserves, national parks, natural parks, state nature reserves, as well as in territories where natural monuments are located, in other specially protected natural areas or in their protected areas. shall entail the imposition of an administrative fine on citizens in the amount of three thousand to four thousand rubles with or without confiscation of the instruments of committing an administrative offense and products of illegal nature management; on officials - from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand rubles with or without confiscation of instruments for committing an administrative offense and products of illegal use of natural resources; on legal entities - from three hundred thousand to five hundred thousand rubles with or without confiscation of the instruments of committing an administrative offense and products of illegal nature management.

2.1.6. Liability of foreign citizens.

According to Art. 2.6. Code of Administrative Offenses: foreign citizens, stateless persons and foreign legal entities are subject to administrative liability on a general basis;

the issue of administrative responsibility of a foreign citizen enjoying immunity from the administrative jurisdiction of the Russian Federation in accordance with federal laws and international treaties is resolved in accordance with the norms of international law.

2.1.9. Failure to pay an administrative fine.

Administrative liability for failure to pay an administrative fine is established by part 1 of Article 20.25 of the Code of Administrative Offenses: Failure to pay an administrative fine or unauthorized leaving the place of serving an administrative arrest. Failure to pay an administrative fine within the period provided for by this Code - entails the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of two times the amount of the unpaid administrative fine or administrative arrest for up to fifteen days.

2.2. Criminal liability.

Criminal liability for environmental crimes in the field of specially protected natural areas and protection of biological resources is established by a number of articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Article 256. Illegal harvesting of aquatic animals and plants

Illegal catching of fish, sea animals and other aquatic animals or commercial marine plants, if this act has been committed:

b) with the use of a self-propelled floating vehicle or explosive and chemical substances, electric current or other methods of mass extermination of these aquatic animals and plants;

c) in spawning areas or on migratory routes to them;

d) on the territory of a nature reserve, wildlife sanctuary, or in a zone of ecological disaster or in a zone of ecological emergency, - correctional labor for up to two years, or arrest for a term of four to six months.

2. Illegal harvesting of fur seals, sea beavers or other marine mammals on the high seas or in restricted areas, is punishable by a fine in the amount of 100,000 to 300,000 rubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of one to two years, or correctional labor for a term of up to two years, or arrest for a term of three to six months.

3. The acts provided for by paragraphs 1 or 2 of this Article, committed by a person using his official position, or by a group of persons by prior agreement, or by an organized group, are punishable by a fine in the amount of 100,000 to 500,000 roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person. for a period of one to three years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to two years, with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years.

Article 258. Illegal hunting.

1. Illegal hunting, if this act is committed:

(a) causing major damage;

b) with the use of a mechanical vehicle or aircraft, explosives, gases or other methods of mass destruction of birds and animals;

c) in relation to birds and animals, the hunting of which is completely prohibited;

d) on the territory of a nature reserve, sanctuary or in a zone of ecological disaster or in a zone of ecological emergency, -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount up to 200 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period up to 18 months, or by corrective labor for a term of up to two years, or by arrest for a term of four to six months.

2. The same deed committed by a person using his official position, or by a group of persons by prior agreement, or by an organized group, -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of 100 thousand to 300 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of one to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to two years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years. years or not.

Article 260. Illegal felling of trees and shrubs

1. Illegal felling, as well as damage to the extent of stopping the growth of trees, shrubs and lianas in forests of the first group or in specially protected areas of forests of all groups, as well as trees, shrubs and lianas that are not included in the forest fund or prohibited for felling, if these deeds committed in a significant amount -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount up to 40 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period up to three months, or by deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years, or by corrective labor for a term of six months to one year. or arrest for up to three months.

1. Illegal felling, as well as damage to the extent of stopping the growth of trees, shrubs and lianas in forests of all groups, as well as plantations that are not included in the forest fund, if these acts are committed:

a) a group of persons;

c) by a person using his official position;

d) on a large scale, -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount up to 200 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period up to 18 months, or by compulsory labor for a term of 180 to 240 hours, or by corrective labor for a term of one to two years, or by deprivation freedom for up to two years with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years.

3. The deeds provided for by paragraphs 1 or 2 of this article, committed on an especially large scale, by a group of persons by prior agreement or by an organized group, -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of 100 thousand to 500 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of one to three years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to three years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years. years or not.

Note. A significant amount in this article is recognized as damage caused to the forest fund and forests not included in the forest fund, calculated according to the rates approved by the Government of the Russian Federation, exceeding ten thousand rubles, large amount - one hundred thousand rubles, especially large amount - two hundred and fifty thousand rubles.

Article 261. Destruction or damage to forests

Destruction or damage of forests, as well as plantings that are not included in the forest fund, as a result of careless handling of fire or other sources of increased danger -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount up to 200 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period up to 18 months, or by corrective labor for a term of up to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to two years.

Destruction or damage of forests, as well as plantations that are not included in the forest fund, by arson, in any other generally dangerous way, or as a result of pollution with harmful substances, waste, emissions or refuse -

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand rubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of one to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to seven years, with a fine in the amount of ten thousand to one hundred thousand rubles, or in the amount of wages or other income of the convicted person for a period from one month to one year or without it.

Article 262. Violation of the regime of specially protected natural territories and natural objects

Violation of the regime of reserves, sanctuaries, national parks, natural monuments and other natural areas specially protected by the state, which has caused significant damage, - the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, or corrective labor for up to two years.

PHYSICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS

In Crimea, "... there are no two pieces of land, two mountains, two valleys similar to each other ... Each Crimean valley has its own winds, its own sunshine, its own humidity and dryness, its own colors, smells, sounds, its own climate, its own soil, its own vegetation" , - this is how the writer S.Ya. wrote about the Crimean landscapes in 1913. Elpatevsky. We find the same diversity directly in the Crimean nature reserve.

The main territory of the reserve is a typical mountainous area with hard-to-reach rocky peaks, gorges, mountain rivers and forests. The total area of ​​the mountain-forest territory is 34,563 ha (excluding the Lebyazhy Islands branch). southern border this territory almost reaches the Black Sea, and the northern one partially captures the city of Chatyr-Dag. The reserve occupies the most elevated part of the Main Ridge of the Crimean Mountains. Its northern slopes are longer than the southern ones, which are shorter and steeply descend to the sea. The reserve contains the most high points The main ridge is Roman-Kosh (1545 masl), Demir-Kapu (1541 masl), Zeytin-Kosh (1537 masl). The peaks of the Main Ridge are hilly treeless plateaus covered with grassy vegetation - yayly (from Turkic "summer pasture").

The main rocks of the reserve are shales, sandstones, limestones and conglomerates, different in age, mainly of the Jurassic period. The diversity of the geological structure determines the diversity of soils, which in the reserve are represented by groups of mountain-forest and mountain-meadow soils.

The reserve is of great importance as an accumulator of fresh water, which accumulates on yayla and feeds springs and rivers. More than 1000 babies are born in the reserve water sources. They are distributed unevenly across its territory. The largest number powerful springs is located in the zone of distribution of tall beech stands. One of the most scenic spots The reserve is considered to be the Central Basin (700 masl), formed by wooded spurs of the ridges of Konek, Babugan and the city of Chernaya. There is an abundance of water here. Especially unique is the Savluh-Su spring (from the Turks “healthy water”), since ancient times fanned with legends. For two years (1987-1989) it was studied by employees of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine under the guidance of Academician E.F. Shnyukov. Studies have shown that the source water is sulfate-hydrocarbonate magnesium-calcium, of high purity, neutral in acidity (pH 7.6). The water temperature is about +5°C. The flow rate of water is constant - 6 l / s. The source is fed by deep waters, as evidenced by geological, hydrochemical and radiochemical data. The source is located in the zone of intersection of two deep faults - Alma and Demerdzhiy. In the water of Savlukh-Su, silver and zinc were found in high concentrations - elements that are not typical for the karst strata of the region. The source water contains 0.08-0.125 mg/l of silver ions. It was also found that when water is stored for more than a year, its chemical composition and properties do not change. Employees of the Institute of Geological Sciences examined the water of another 15 sources of the reserve. The presence of zinc ions was found in the Uzen-Bash spring, manganese in the water of the Berezovy spring. Traces of silver are noted in sources on the river. Babuganka, r. Alma and Berezov. The waters of the Tariera and Uzen-Bash springs were classified as sulfate-hydrocarbonate magnesium-calcium.

The upper reaches of many Crimean rivers have been adorned by nature with waterfalls. Such is the Uzen-Bash, the right tributary of the river. Ulu-Uzeni. At an altitude of 800 m a.s.l. in the wild gorge of Yaman-Dere there are cascades of the waterfall named after Professor N.A. Golovkinsky. And although the height of the water fall is small -12 m, it is breathtaking when you see the colossal work of the stream, breaking out of the gorge jammed with rocks, making its way through the stones, down, there - into the sunny Alushta valley, to the sea.

Reserved sources give rise to many of the most important rivers of Crimea: Alma, Kacha, Ulu-Uzeni, Derekoika, Avunda, etc. The deepest and longest protected rivers are Alma (84 km) and Kacha (69 km.). These are typical mountain rivers with a fast current, flood character. Most of the water in them is in spring (when the snow melts in the mountains) and in autumn, when it rains heavily. The rivers do not freeze in winter.

23 reservoirs have been built on the Crimean rivers, including Kachinskoye, Alminskoye, Izobilnenskoye (on the Ulu-Uzen River). The problem of water in the mountainous part of the peninsula was solved exclusively thanks to them. The development of southern coastal resorts, agriculture with its vineyards and orchards is impossible without this water. And therefore it is impossible to overestimate the importance of the reserve, which saves forests and water.

In the north-west of Crimea there is an ornithological reserve. It got its name in the 19th century thanks to the German scientist Brawler, who visited these places for research purposes. Finding a protected area is quite difficult. Not every local resident knows the way to it.

On a note:
Area - 9 612 hectares.
About 320 species of birds live on the islands, of which 49 species are in the Red Book.

User photos:

History of the Swan Islands

The history of the Swan Islands has a little more than 100 years. They arose as a result of the erosion of a sandy spit by the sea in the Karkinitsky Bay of the Black Sea and are located 3.5 km from its shores. The status of the reserve was given to the islands only in 1949. Until recently, there were 6 of them in the Swan Ridge, but the sea is constantly making adjustments to their composition. Currently there are only 5 left.

The Swan Islands of the Crimean Peninsula are sandy-shell shoals stretching along the shore of the harbor of Karkinitsky Bay for a distance of 8 km. The height of the shallows does not exceed 200 meters. The largest islet is only 3.5 km long and 350 meters wide. The total area of ​​all the islands is 9 thousand square meters. km. Initially, they were called Sary-Bulatsky by the name of the village located with them in the immediate vicinity. It has now been renamed Portovoe.

Giving the territory the status of a reserve made it possible to save the birds from destruction. Local residents actively hunted swans. Their down was used to make pillows, and the meat was sold in local markets as a gourmet delicacy.

Important! In 1971, these islands were included in the list of territories whose protection is of international importance.

When does swan season start?

The first swan offspring appears on the islands at the end of May. All of them are separated from each other by shallow water, in which a large number of fish are found, which serve as the main food base for birds. At this time, in these places, the hubbub of several thousand chicks is heard, constantly demanding food from their parents. Without waiting for food, some of them crawl out of their nests and wander in the grass in search of a worm. Having heard a noise or noticing a person, the chicks rush to the water or freeze in the vegetation surrounding them.

Swans are not the only inhabitants of the islands. Together with them, you can meet noisy gulls here. Herons and the black-headed gull, listed in the Red Book, feel great here. The pink pelican fell in love with these places. Recently, he began to willingly settle on the islands. Birds like to make their stops in these places, flying to the places of their nomadic camps. You can also meet turukhans, snails, terns, as well as ducks, white-fronted and gray geese, swallows, larks, thrushes and wagtails on the islands. In total, 350 species of birds and 25 species of migratory birds are registered in the reserve.

At the height of the season, there are up to 100 thousand birds on the islands, and up to a million during the peaks of migratory stops. During this period of time, they try to protect birds from extraneous presence. Even huntsmen look at the islands in May very rarely. Due to the fact that the water surrounding the islands does not freeze, about 5 thousand individuals of swans remain here for the winter. In rare but severe frosts, they fly closer to people. At this time, they can be seen on the beaches of Yalta, Sevastopol or Evpatoria. Accustomed to the arrival of birds, the townspeople willingly feed them.

In the waters of the Lebyazhye Islands, you can also meet other representatives of the fauna. White-barreled dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, porpoises, white polecat, large jerboa, various types of reptiles and even Black Sea salmon have found protection for their existence here.

Video review of the Swan Islands

How do the Lebyazhy Islands live today?

Research observations are carried out in the reserve, bird populations are monitored. The protected zone occupies almost 52 hectares. After the desalination of sea water by the effluents of the North Crimean Canal, serious natural changes took place on the islands. They influenced the flora and fauna of the islands. Overgrowing of estuaries with reed vegetation began, the formation of a new avifauna complex. The task of scientists is to preserve the population of birds inhabiting the islands.

At present, there is a significant improvement in the environmental situation in the area of ​​the Lebyazhye Islands. The reason for this was the cessation of fresh water supply to the Crimea through the North Crimean Canal. This has led to a reduction in the area of ​​agricultural land occupied by rice crops. The main share of chemical pollution of the environment in the area of ​​the Lebyazhye Islands is associated with this culture. Rice cultivation required a large number fresh water and mineral fertilizers.

In the shallow water surrounding the islands, the number of fish began to increase, and the surface of rice fields began to overgrow with grass, which is the food base for birds. The number of rangers guarding the reserve has also increased recently, and the procedure for issuing hunting tickets has become stricter. Together with birds, fish and animals are protected on the Swan Islands.

How to get to the islands?

The nearest settlement to the Swan Islands is the village of Avrora. It is located in the Razdolnensky district of Crimea and is part of the Slavyansky village council. Geographically, the Karkinitsky Bay, on the coast of which Aurora is located, and in its waters the Lebyazhy Islands, is located in the north-west of the Crimean peninsula. protected area begins immediately after the Bakalskaya Spit, north of the cape, known as Tarkhankut.

Aspiring to get closer to the Swan Islands, tourists are planning their route through the Black Sea. Regular buses and minibuses go here from Evpatoria. The distance between these two settlements is 70 km. On shuttle bus from Chernomorskoye they get to Razdolnoye, and there on foot strictly north 8 km to Portovoy.

You can also get to the area of ​​the islands by water. Boats go here regularly. Entrance and entry into the territory of the reserve itself is allowed only with special passes.

Swan Islands in Crimea: pelicans and flamingos in reserved corner peninsulasBehind Cape Tarkhankut there are places from where swans fly to the Crimean cities .Even the Crimean residents, far from all will answer you where these islands are located and why they are remarkable. But, perhaps, this is good, as well as the fact that they hid away from noisy resort villages and beaches. I myself, although I heard that there are protected bird islands somewhere in the north-west of the peninsula beyond Razdolny, but all "hands did not reach" to find out more about them. And this summer, one familiar enthusiastic guide mentioned in a conversation about the development of a new resort route, namely, ornithological (for bird lovers): - There is an opportunity to see pelicans and flamingos in the wild, in natural conditions, - he said, - and don't be surprised So, you don't have to travel far for that. We have them here - on the Swan Islands. Wow, just some kind of exotic and not somewhere, but in our native open spaces! - And what, just come and see like that? - I wondered. - Well, not so easy, of course. You need special permission, because these are reserved places. We are negotiating with the management of the reserve about such an opportunity for specially trained small groups of tourists. Perhaps they will agree, because the funds will go to the needs of the farm, since they have enough problems ... That's when I wanted to know what kind of farm this is and where all of a sudden such amazing birds come from in Crimea. And here's what turned out. Reserve "Swan Islands" in the CrimeaNorth of Cape Tarkhankut, behind Bakalskaya Spit, in Karkinit Bay of the Black Sea, near the village of Portovoe (the old name is Sary-Bulat) once, more than a hundred years ago, there was a spit with lush vegetation and even a source of drinking water . There locals cattle were driven out for the whole summer as if they were free pasture. But over the years, the braid has blurred and three pretty big islands. They began to be called Sary-Bulatsky, and the name Lebyazhy appeared later. Naturally, they stopped grazing cattle there, and birds began to intensively populate fertile places. The local population began to take advantage of this in every way: they got the meat of game birds (they also traded in delicacy swan meat), while the scale of collecting bird fluff and eggs was such that they made it possible to use eggs not only as a food product, but also in building mortars for the special strength of buildings. By the way, the landowner Saenko, who at the beginning ran in Sary-Bulat, on such a solution in 1903 built the five-domed old Russian style St. George-Alexander Church with a monastery courtyard. Yes, so strong that an attempt to demolish it in 1985. was repeated three times, until the "atheist enthusiasts" left only the foundation of it (by the way, the bells from those ancient times, buried somewhere on the shore of the Karkinit Bay, could not be found). Let's return to the islands. It must be said that the sea, having created islands from the spit, did not calm down on this, and after a while six smaller ones “hidden” from the three islands. And so many of them were up until recently, when suddenly one of the islands was swallowed up by the restless sea, washing in return a small spit again. So after all the vicissitudes of local relief formation there were five islands. They received the name Lebyazhye from the light hand of the German scientist Brawler, who visited here at the end of the 19th century.

The scientist saw a huge colony of mute and screamer swans and suggested that this is their nesting place. Apparently, he happened to be on the islands in July-August, since to this day, during these months, thousands of these royal birds fly here in order to shed their old feathers and grow new ones, as in Andersen's fairy tale. During the molting period, swans they cannot fly and choose these islands and the water area of ​​the shallow bay, overgrown with grass, which they eat with pleasure, as the safest. But swans do not build nests here and do not breed chicks, although some of the swans live on the islands throughout the year. These are young birds that do not lay eggs until the age of 4-5, as well as adults who, for some tragic reason, have lost their mate. There are legends about swan fidelity, and although, indeed, swans create monogamous unions and live in pairs, in case of loss of a partner, they do not rush to the ground from a height, but most often look for their other half again. Here on our islands there is also such a "dating club" for lonely swans. White swans in Crimea Quite a lot of swans fly here for wintering (sometimes up to 5 thousand individuals), because the bay practically does not freeze, and if it freezes, there are always large polynyas . Sometimes, in extreme cold, part of the swans fly to the beaches of Yalta, Sevastopol, Evpatoria. People feed them there. And then the birds again return to their quiet, comfortable, safe island kingdom-state, which since 1949 has officially been the ornithological branch of the Crimean State Reserve. This means that on the Swan Islands it is not only impossible to hunt birds, but also to disturb them in general, as well as to fish, collect medicinal plants and generally conduct any activity. The area of ​​the islands themselves is 52 hectares, the surrounding shallow water - 9612 hectares. The adjacent water area of ​​the Karkinitsky Gulf and the coastal lands of the Razdolnensky and Krasnogvardeisky regions are also protected. Only rangers and ornithologists who watch birds at different times of the year are allowed to be here. After all, in addition to swans on the islands, you can see another 260 species of birds, 49 of which are listed in the Red Book! Such, unfortunately, are now rare birds, such as: spoonbill, loaf, yellow heron, white-eyed duck, small cormorant, stilt, chigrava, thin-billed curlew, bustard, steppe kestrel, curly pelican, etc. There are only 250 to 50 individuals. Some of them nest here, others visit only in winter, others rest on migration. The most numerous bird colony of the Swan Islands belongs to the order of gulls (among others, the herring gull or martyn). There are over 5,000 pairs here. The largest - the black-headed gull - is also listed in the Red Book for its rarity. Their only colony on the Black Sea lives on these islands. As well as a colony of the gray heron - the largest bird in the south of the European part of the CIS. Recently, pink pelicans have appeared on nesting. Numerous flocks of migratory birds also stop on the islands on their way to Africa, Europe, Asia: turukhans, snails, sandboxes, terns, ducks, white-fronted and gray geese, swallows, larks, thrushes, wagtails ... At the same time, there are up to 75 of them in clusters. 100 thousand, and during the day, at the height of the flight - up to a million! It is not for nothing that the Swan Islands have a protected international status, because it is extremely important to preserve this "rest station" on the thousand-kilometer migration route of many birds. The mother swan and her cubs Ornithologists are constantly researching all these birds and changing conditions in the reserve. I am glad that these conditions began to gradually improve. For example, as a result of a decrease in the intensity of chemical processing of rice fields, coastal areas and the bottom of the sea are overgrown with grass, and this is the main food supply for birds. There are more fish and other marine life in the bay. The protection of lands from poachers has improved: the staff of rangers has doubled, equipment has appeared (cars, boats, although, of course, there are not enough of them). It was also possible to save these places from attempts to issue hunting licenses, supposedly to earn money for development ... To invent the same thing: to scare and disperse all the birds with shooting and dogs with "good" intentions to protect them. Then there will be no one to protect. Another thing is if you organize excursions to the islands with an experienced ornithologist. Although the reserve is considered ornithological, fish are also protected here along with birds (there are still seahorse, thorn, beluga, Black Sea salmon) and animals: marine (bottle dolphins, azovka and common dolphins) and land (large jerboa, white polecat; endangered species of the steppe viper and yellow-bellied snake). But of course, the main dream of local specialists is the organization of the Karkinitsky reserve, which will include the entire bay, as well as the Bakalskaya spit and the salty Bakalsky lake. Then instead of a branch there would be an independent reserve. Maybe the Swan Islands will be lucky and they will be taken under guardianship by a rich and generous person who is not indifferent to our animals and birds, just as the Askania-Nova Reserve was once lucky with the wonderful Baron Falzfein.

Reserve Lebyazhy Islands in Crimea, 1983 photo by Konstantin Dudchenko

Even the Crimean residents, far from all will answer you where these islands are located and why they are remarkable. But, perhaps, this is good, as well as the fact that they hid away from noisy resort villages and beaches. Some kind of exotic and not somewhere, but in our native open spaces!

The Lebyazhy Islands are located off the northwestern coast of Crimea in the Karkinit Bay of the Black Sea. The protected area includes 6 islands stretching for 8 km along the Crimean coast from the southwest to the northeast. The islands are separated from the Crimea and each other by shallow straits.


At the IV International Conference on the Protection of Waterfowl (Iran, 1971), the Swan Islands were included in the list of protected areas of international importance.

To the north of Cape Tarkhankut, behind the Bakalskaya Spit, in the Karkinit Bay of the Black Sea, near the village of Portovoye (the old name is Sary-Bulat), more than a hundred years ago, there was a spit with lush vegetation and even a source of drinking water. The locals drove their cattle there for the whole summer as a free pasture. But over the years, the spit was washed away and three rather large islands appeared. They began to be called Sary-Bulatsky, and the name Lebyazhy appeared later. Naturally, they stopped grazing cattle there, and birds began to intensively populate fertile places. The local population began to take advantage of this in every way: they got the meat of game birds (they also traded in delicacy swan meat), while the scale of collecting bird fluff and eggs was such that they made it possible to use eggs not only as a food product, but also in building mortars for the special strength of buildings.

By the way, the landowner Saenko, who at the beginning ran in Sary-Bulat, on such a solution in 1903 built the five-domed old Russian style St. George-Alexander Church with a monastery courtyard. Yes, so strong that an attempt to demolish it in 1985. was repeated three times, until the “atheist enthusiasts” left only the foundation of it (by the way, the bells from those ancient times, buried somewhere on the shore of the Karkinitsky Bay, could not be found ...)

Let's get back to the islands. It must be said that the sea, having created islands from the spit, did not calm down on this, and after a while six smaller ones “hidden” from the three islands. And so many of them were up until recently, when suddenly one of the islands was swallowed up by the restless sea, washing in return a small spit again. So after all the vicissitudes of local relief formation there were five islands. They received the name Lebyazhye from the light hand of the German scientist Brawler, who visited here at the end of the 19th century.


The scientist saw a huge colony of mute and screamer swans and suggested that this is their nesting place. Apparently, he happened to be on the islands in July-August, since to this day, during these months, thousands of these royal birds fly here in order to shed their old feathers and grow new ones, as in Andersen's fairy tale. During the molting period, swans cannot fly and choose these islands and the water area of ​​the shallow bay, overgrown with grass, which they eat with pleasure, as the safest. But swans do not build nests here and do not breed chicks, although some of the swans live on the islands throughout the year. These are young birds that do not lay eggs until the age of 4-5, as well as adults who, for some tragic reason, have lost their mate.

There are legends about swan fidelity, and although, indeed, swans create monogamous unions and live in pairs, in case of loss of a partner, they do not rush to the ground from a height, but most often look for their other half again. Here on our islands there is also such a “dating club” for lonely swans.

The largest - the black-headed gull - is also listed in the Red Book for its rarity. Their only colony on the Black Sea lives on these islands. As well as a colony of the gray heron - the largest bird in the south of the European part of the CIS. Recently, pink pelicans have appeared on nesting. Numerous flocks of migratory birds also stop on the islands on their way to Africa, Europe, Asia: turukhans, snails, sandboxes, terns, ducks, white-fronted and gray geese, swallows, larks, thrushes, wagtails ... At the same time, there are up to 75 of them in clusters. 100 thousand, and during the day, at the height of the flight - up to a million! It is not for nothing that the Lebyazhy Islands have a protected international status, because it is extremely important to preserve this “rest station” on the thousand-kilometer migration route of many birds.

Ornithologists are constantly researching all these birds and changing conditions in the reserve. I am glad that these conditions began to gradually improve. For example, as a result of a decrease in the intensity of chemical processing of rice fields, coastal areas and the bottom of the sea are overgrown with grass, and this is the main food supply for birds.

There are more fish and other marine life in the bay. The protection of lands from poachers has improved: the staff of rangers has doubled, equipment has appeared (cars, boats, although, of course, there are not enough of them). They also managed to save these places from attempts to issue hunting licenses, supposedly to earn money for development ... To invent the same thing: to scare and disperse all the birds with shooting and dogs with "good" intentions to protect them. Then there will be no one to protect.

Another thing is if you organize excursions to the islands with an experienced ornithologist. Although the reserve is considered ornithological, fish are also protected here along with birds (there are still seahorse, thorn, beluga, Black Sea salmon) and animals: marine (bottle dolphins, azovka and common dolphins) and land (large jerboa, white polecat; endangered species of the steppe viper and yellow-bellied snake). But of course, the main dream of local specialists is the organization of the Karkinitsky reserve, which will include the entire bay, as well as the Bakalskaya spit and the salty Bakalsky lake. Then instead of a branch there would be an independent reserve. Maybe the Swan Islands will be lucky and they will be taken under guardianship by a rich and generous person who is not indifferent to our animals and birds, just as the Askania-Nova Reserve was once lucky with the wonderful Baron Falzfein.


At the end of May, offspring appear - thousands of chicks. Some sit in nests waiting for their parents with food, others dart around in the grass on their own. When a person appears, those that are older, hiding in the thickets, vigilantly follow him with black dots of the eyes or headlong run to the water, stumbling and falling on the go.

In dense reeds, herons shy away awkwardly, leaving their nests with half-downed offspring. There is an incessant hubbub and hubbub in the air. Seagulls with an alarming cry hover overhead, threateningly “dive”, almost touching the alien with their wings, pursue him and fly for a long time after the boat leaving the islands. But usually at this time they try not to disturb the birds. Even gamekeepers and scientists are less likely to visit the islands for their observations.

At the height of summer, large flocks of swans gather around the islands to molt. Their number usually ranges from two to five thousand. During this period, they completely lose the ability to fly and they are ringed, catching up in the sea on a boat. Ringing of herons and gulls is also carried out here, which makes it possible to identify the routes of seasonal migrations of birds. In particular, there were returns of swan rings from Turkey, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and herons and greaves - from North and Central Africa.
In autumn, the islands are no less animated than in summer, although by this time both the behavior and the species composition of birds are noticeably changing. The new offspring have already learned to fly, there are fewer gulls, but there are so many migratory ducks and waders that if you could frighten them all away at once, they would cover the sky with themselves.


When only one large flock of ducks rises into the air, the surroundings are filled with such noise that it seems as if a train is passing nearby. The waters of the bay darken from the accumulation of birds. From time to time, huge flocks take off from their places, make several circles over the islands, and again, with noise and scream, sink into the shallows. Even at night, the hubbub and whistle of the wings of birds flying overhead can be heard from all sides.

Pelicans were spotted here by ornithologists, but they are rare guests on the Swan Islands.

Swans usually stay away from the islands, they approach them only in inclement weather, looking for shelter. Often in the evening, before sunset, you can see a snow-white chain of swans flying over the water. Their flight is magnificent - a leisurely and majestic flap of wings, an amazing synchronism in the movement of the entire system!

These small islands are composed of sand and shell sediments and are subject to constant changes in their configuration. From time to time there is even a change in the number of islands. The height of the islands above sea level does not exceed 1-2 meters. The largest of the islands is the fourth: about 3.5 km long and about 350 m wide. The strictly protected part of the islands covers an area of ​​52 hectares.


The natural conditions of the islands - shallow water, an abundance of plant and animal food - attract many birds, mainly waterfowl. This is one of largest places wintering and nesting of wetland birds in Ukraine. In addition, the Swan Islands are located on an important part of the migratory route of birds from Europe to Africa and Asia. The number of bird species found in the territory and water area of ​​the reserve reaches 265.

About 25 species of birds constantly inhabit the reserve. Black-headed gulls, gulls, terns, herring gulls, cormorants, many species of ducks, pelicans and flamingos, white and gray herons, waders and others use it as a nesting site. Mute swans, whose population reaches 6,000 individuals in the summer, do not nest here, but only wait out the molt, during which they are most vulnerable.

In late autumn, whooper swans also appear on the islands, leaving for the winter. In different years, 10-30 thousand ducks of various species, up to 2 thousand geese, can be observed here. In addition to birds, the reserve also protects the mammals living here: dolphins - bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, porpoise; large jerboa and white polecat. In addition, two endangered species of reptiles are protected here: the steppe viper, yellow-bellied snake and 4 species of fish: spike, beluga, Black Sea salmon, seahorse.

There are places where swans fly to the Crimean cities.

Even the Crimean residents, far from all will answer you where these islands are located and why they are remarkable. But, perhaps, this is good, as well as the fact that they hid away from noisy resort villages and beaches. To the north of Cape Tarkhankut, behind the Bakalskaya Spit, in the Black Sea, near the village of Portovoye (the old name is Sary-Bulat), more than a hundred years ago, there was a spit with lush vegetation and even a source of drinking water. The locals drove their cattle there for the whole summer as a free pasture. But over the years, the spit was washed away and three rather large islands appeared. They began to be called Sary-Bulatsky, and the name Lebyazhy appeared later. Naturally, they stopped grazing cattle there, and birds began to intensively populate fertile places.

The local population began to use it in every possible way: they got the meat of a game bird (they also traded in delicacy swan meat), while the scale of collecting bird fluff and eggs was such that they made it possible to use eggs not only as a food product, but also in building mortars for the special strength of buildings. By the way, the landowner Saenko, who at the beginning ran in Sary-Bulat, on such a solution in 1903 built the five-domed old Russian style St. George-Alexander Church with a monastery courtyard. Yes, so strong that an attempt to demolish it in 1985. was repeated three times, until the “atheist enthusiasts” left only the foundation of it (by the way, the bells from those ancient times, buried somewhere on the shore of the Karkinitsky Bay, could not be found).

Let's get back to the islands. It must be said that the sea, having created islands from the spit, did not calm down on this, and after a while six smaller ones “hidden” from the three islands. And so many of them were up until recently, when suddenly one of the islands was swallowed up by the restless sea, washing in return a small spit again. So after all the vicissitudes of local relief formation there were five islands. They received the name Lebyazhye from the light hand of the German scientist Brawler, who visited here at the end of the 19th century. The scientist saw a huge colony of mute and screamer swans and suggested that this is their nesting place. Apparently, he happened to be on the islands in July-August, since to this day, during these months, thousands of these royal birds fly here in order to shed their old feathers and grow new ones, as in Andersen's fairy tale.

During the molting period, swans cannot fly and choose these islands and the water area of ​​the shallow bay, overgrown with grass, which they eat with pleasure, as the safest. But swans do not build nests here and do not breed chicks, although some of the swans live on the islands throughout the year. These are young birds that do not lay eggs until the age of 4-5, as well as adults who, for some tragic reason, have lost their mate. There are legends about swan fidelity, and although, indeed, swans create monogamous unions and live in pairs, in case of loss of a partner, they do not rush to the ground from a height, but most often look for their other half again. Here on these islands there is also such a “dating club” for lonely swans.

Quite a lot of swans fly here for the winter (up to 5 thousand individuals), because the bay practically does not freeze, and if it does, there are always large polynyas. Sometimes, in extreme cold, some of the swans fly to the beaches,. People feed them there. And then the birds return again to their quiet, comfortable, safe island kingdom-state, which since 1949 has officially been the ornithological branch of a.

This means that on the Swan Islands it is not only impossible to hunt birds, but also to disturb them in general, as well as to fish, collect medicinal plants and generally conduct any activity. The area of ​​the islands themselves is 52 hectares, the surrounding shallow water - 9612 hectares. The adjacent water area of ​​the Karkinitsky Gulf and the coastal lands of the Razdolnensky and Krasnogvardeisky regions are also protected. Only rangers and ornithologists who watch birds at different times of the year are allowed to be here. After all, in addition to swans on the islands, you can see another 260 species of birds, 49 of which are listed in the Red Book! Such, unfortunately, are now rare birds, such as: spoonbill, loaf, yellow heron, white-eyed duck, small cormorant, stilt, chigrava, thin-billed curlew, bustard, steppe kestrel, curly pelican, etc. There are only 250 to 50 individuals. Some of them nest here, others visit only in winter, others rest on migration. The most numerous bird colony of the Swan Islands belongs to the order of gulls (among others, the herring gull or martyn). There are over 5,000 pairs here.

The largest - the black-headed gull - is also listed in the Red Book for its rarity. Their only colony on the Black Sea lives on these islands. As well as a colony of the gray heron - the largest bird in the south of the European part of the CIS. Recently, pink pelicans have appeared on nesting.

Numerous flocks of migratory birds also stop on the islands on their way to Africa, Europe, Asia: turukhans, snails, sandboxes, terns, ducks, white-fronted and gray geese, swallows, larks, thrushes, wagtails ... At the same time, there are up to 75 of them in clusters. 100 thousand, and during the day, at the height of the flight - up to a million! It is not for nothing that the Lebyazhy Islands have a protected international status, because it is extremely important to preserve this “rest station” on the thousand-kilometer migration route of many birds.

Ornithologists are constantly researching all these birds and changing conditions in the reserve. I am glad that these conditions began to gradually improve. For example, as a result of a decrease in the intensity of chemical processing of rice fields, coastal areas and the bottom of the sea are overgrown with grass, and this is the main food supply for birds. There are more fish and other marine life in the bay. The protection of lands from poachers has improved: the staff of rangers has doubled, equipment has appeared (cars, boats, although, of course, there are not enough of them). They also managed to save these places from attempts to issue hunting licenses, supposedly to earn money for development ... To invent the same thing: to scare and disperse all the birds with shooting and dogs with "good" intentions to protect them. Then there will be no one to protect.

Another thing is if you organize excursions to the islands with an experienced ornithologist. Although the reserve is considered ornithological, fish are also protected here along with birds (there are still seahorse, thorn, beluga, Black Sea salmon) and animals: marine (bottle dolphins, azovka and common dolphins) and land (large jerboa, white polecat; endangered species of the steppe viper and yellow-bellied snake). But of course, the main dream of local specialists is the organization of the Karkinitsky reserve, which will include the entire bay, as well as the Bakalskaya spit and the salty Bakalsky lake. Then instead of a branch there would be an independent reserve. Maybe the Swan Islands will be lucky and they will be taken under guardianship by a rich and generous person who is not indifferent to our animals and birds, just as the Askania-Nova Reserve was once lucky with the wonderful Baron Falzfein.

2016-11-08