River Warbler

Locustella fluviatilis (Wolf, 1810)

2017-08-16 Aktau, Mangystau region	© Anna Yasko

Distribution

Breeding in middle and lower reaches of Ural valley, south up to Chapaevo village, and also in lower reaches of Ilek river. On migration occurs in Ural valley down to Atyrau, in Utva-Ilek area, in lower reaches of Sarysu river (17 August 1986).

Biology

Rare, in places uncommon breeding migrant. Inhabits wet meadows, shores of rivers and lakes with tall grass and bushes, forest shoots (birch, alder), where occurs on migration too. Appears in early April – end May. Breeding in separate pairs. Nest is built on ground under bush or grass, sometimes on tussock with thick grass, from dry leaves and grass lined rarely with hair. Clutches of 5-6, rarely of 7 eggs in June, juveniles fledge in July. Autumn migration begins in end of July, most birds leave in August, latest recorded 26 September 1961.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.