Karen Aghababyan

The recent surveys of White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala in Armash wetlands of Armenia were conducted on 6 April–3 June 2018
using timed counts from fixed points. During the survey eight ponds with a total area of 8 square km were examined. The survey recorded 12 males in breeding plumage, two females and five ducklings at one of the ponds. According to the available data in the National Armenian Database (TSE NGO) and the database of Armenia at observation.org (Observation International Foundation), this is the highest number of adult male White-headed Ducks observed at one place in Armenia during the last ten years. Further monitoring is required to understand the real number of breeding pairs and whether there is a real population increase.

During 2005-2007 we collected data on 993 nests of White Storks in Armenia, most of which (87.0% of pairs in 2007) are found in the Ararat plain. Numbers of Storks are increasing: in 2005, 2006, and 2007 we have recorded 548, 601, and 624 pairs respectively. The number of pairs counted during the previous census in 1984 was higher (668 pairs), possibly because of duplication during the 1984 count, or a real decrease might have been caused by wetland degradation during the Soviet period.

The Shikra Accipiter badius is a widespread Accipiter with a predominantly Asian and African distribution. In the Transcaucasus, the Shikra is known in Azerbaijan from old records at Vel village, near Lankaran city (southeast Azerbaijan). Our observations discover breeding of Shikra in Armenia and extend the known breeding
range of the species.

We give an overview of the rich variety of ecosystems found within Armenia, and the avifauna these habitats support. There are, however, a number of significant pressures acting upon the country’s rich biodiversity, arising from the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. Good monitoring data are therefore essential as an investment into the sustainability of economic development of the
country. We describe the development of ornithological studies in Armenia to date, and how we have arrived at the first Atlas of Breeding Birds in Armenia, which will contribute towards the European Breeding Bird Atlas 2. Although half of the data collected for this national atlas has come from foreign observers, concerted effort is recruiting and training new Armenia observers for a sustainable future for bird
monitoring in the country.

The Semi-collared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata Homeyer, 1885) is one of the least studied bird species in Armenia. The species is included in the Red Book of Armenia under category DD and in 2003-2016 it shows a moderate decline. The population of the species in Armenia is estimated from 950 to 1150 breeding pairs. The main threats are: unsustainable management of forests, which is focused on forestry short-term benefits from wood production, and the development of recreational infrastructure in the vicinity of resorts. Less dangerous threats are: collection of a fuel wood by local communities, especially because old hollow trees, which are allocated for that purpose, are also important for nesting of the Flycatchers. Besides, periodic treatment of forests with pesticides, for the so-called "pest control", leads to a decrease in the food supply of the species. Existing protection measures are inadequate. Proposed conservation measures include: reassessing its status for the Red Book of Armenia, improving forest management practices, developing management plans for Emerald Network aimed at improvement of protection of the species populations, mandatory application of environmental assessment procedures for each
infrastructure project in the Dilijan National Park, development of the concept of non-timber forest products for forestry enterprises as a source of alternative income, the development of ecotourism in forests as an additional income source for local rural communities.

The first documentary evidence of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus brookei) breeding in the Meghri District of Armenia is described. Peregrines bred in niches on cliffs, sometimes utilizing the old nests of other species. Egg laying began in March with the young hatching by mid-April and fledging in the last third of May. We provide information on our observations of nestling feeding rates, prey species killed and adult behavior during the nesting period.

Based on the data collected during 1998-2007 we have discussed
the distribution, habitat use and number of Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) in Armenia. Analyzing the data about breeding and foraging ranges of 6 pares, we have figured out the following: 1) two of the known distances between neighboring nests is 14. 2 and 14. 3 km; 2) the average distance between the nest and limit of the hunting area is 4. 05±0. 39 km (n = 15, P<0. 05); 3) the average percentage of the forest cover within home range is 26. 07±3. 89 % (n = 15, P<0. 05); 4) there is a correlation between percentage of forest cover within home range and distance from the nest to the limit of hunting area of Lesser Spotted Eagle (RPearson = 0. 548, P<0. 017); 5) this correlation can be described by the linear regression model (R = 0.548, F=5. 581, P<0. 034), though the model is preliminary and needs further confirmation. Extrapolation of these data for the rest of appropriate species’ habitat in Armenia gives the maximum population of the species in the country, which preliminary can be estimated as about 48-52 pairs. There are several threats for the species in Armenia, such as lack of enforced regulation in use of pesticides, poaching, human disturbance during breeding season and habitat loss.

Two species, Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus and Spur- winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus, which initially considered non-breeding, have been observed in the country during entire spring and summer seasons of 2018, which causes necessity of further investigations on their possible breeding.

Survey of Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes in three regions of Armenia was performed during 2009 and 2010. In total 7 active nests and a putative nest site with an apparently territorial pair were found in Yerevan, 11 active nests have been recorded in Meghri region, and no nests have been found at the slopes of Aragats mountain.