Feeding conditions in breeding areas and selection of lekking sites by Great Snipe (Gallinago media) in Moscow Region, Russia

Abstract

Great Snipe (Gallinago media) was included in the Red Data Book of the Moscow Region (central European Russia) after this species numbers had decreased dramatically in the 20th century. Certain range expansion and, particularly, growth of number of leks has been observed in Great Snipe in the north of this area during the last two decades. Food resources can belong to important drivers of change in Great Snipe distribution in breeding areas and, accordingly, need to be accounted for when developing conservation measures. Therefore, we studied influence of feeding conditions on selection of sites for lek formation by the Great Snipe in 2017 at the breeding sites in the north of the Moscow Region (56°40′N, 37°40′E). We found that neither parameters related to amount (abundance and biomass of earthworms, soil pH) or availability (abundance of earthworms and soil penetrability) of feeding resources had pronounced impact on selection of lekking sites by birds in our study area. The abundance and biomass of earthworms, main prey of Great Snipe, contributed the most to difference in discriminant analysis between leks and random sites at agricultural lands, but this difference was still not significant. Two leks of Great Snipe were located on acidic mesotrophic bogs where earthworms were absent. Apparently, food resources do not currently represent a limiting factor for Great Snipe in the north of Moscow Region. However, constant monitoring of habitats, including food supply, is needed in the species’ breeding areas.