NATURREISEN UND EXPEDITIONEN

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NATURE  TRAVELS AND EXPEDITIONS
 

TOUR  019
(for more information,please, contact us or our partner web-site www.biosphere-expeditions.org )

BIOSPHERE EXPEDITIONS, KINBURN PENINCULA,UKRAINE

This expedition will conduct the first-ever large-scale survey of bird migration patterns by catching passing birds in nets (which are harmless to the animals), and measuring, identifying, ringing, and releasing them. Because very little data exists on steppe wolf numbers in the area, the expedition will also carry out a large-scale wolf survey through night time hide and day time tracking work. Other small vertebrates (like the mole rat, jerboa, and the steppe viper) will also be studied.

Expedition aims:
(1) To determine steppe wolf (Canis lupus) numbers.
(2) To determine bird species composition and numbers by mist and funnel netting.
(3) To monitor bird migration dynamics by transect census and capture.
(4) To assess small vertebrate numbers (e.g. mole rat Spalax arenarius, jerboa Scirtopoda telum, steppe viper Vipera ursinii).

Dates:
4 August - 18 August 2002
18 August - 1 September 2002
1 September - 15 September 2002

Team members can join for 2, 4, or 6 weeks (within the two week slots specified).Dates are chosen to coincide with the migratory season for birds and the end of the breeding season for wolves when they start to congregate into packs again.

The Kinburska Kosa Landscape Park is part of the larger Kinburn peninsula. Relatively little internal or independent data exists on wolf numbers in the park, so Biosphere Expeditions will estimate relative numbers in the region. Data will then be used in the formulation of management plans, in efforts to upgrade the Landscape Park to National Park status, and to educate local people about their canine neighbours.

The peninsula is used by many bird species as a so-called "stepping stone" for crossing the Black Sea on their North-South migration routes from places such as Scandinavia and Siberia in the North, to Africa and the Mediterranean in the South. Birds congregate here to feed, rest and moult, because the area is relatively undisturbed and sufficiently remote. The concentration of migratory birds in autumn is so high that the area in vernacular Ukrainian is known as a "bird railway station". Migratory patterns and species composition in this area need to be investigated further, particularly by long-term, concerted monitoring methods. Biosphere Expeditions in conjunction with local scientists has established such a monitoring project. Data gained from expeditions will benefit conservation efforts undertaken in the area and will support arguments for the extension of the current Landscape Park into a larger National Park.

Many small vertebrates in the park (like the mole rat , jerboa and steppe viper) are protected and threatened species, and some of them are endemic to the peninsula. It is important to monitor their numbers and density. Biosphere Expeditions will aid local scientists in this effort.

Primary study species:
Birds: numerous birds, amongst them Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin), Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima), Redshank (Tringa totanus), Turnstone (Arenaria interpres).

Selected mammals & reptiles: Steppe wolf (Canis lupus) and other vertebrates like the mole rat (Spalax arenarius), jerboa (Scirtopoda telum), steppe viper (Vipera ursinii).

Secondary landmark species present:
Roe deer, wild boar, brown hare, red fox, pelicans, egrets, stilts. You may also come across globally threatened species such as the white-tailed eagle, slender-billed curlew, or the red-breasted goose. All in wetland and mixed habitats of conifer forests and sandy steppe area.

Location:
Kinburn peninsula, Black Sea, Ukraine.

Local & expedition base conditions:
The Kinburska Kosa Landscape Park was created in 1992 and is situated in the Ukraine on the Northern shores of the Black Sea, at the confluence of the Dnieper river, North-West of the Crimea. The park measures 18,000 hectares including 12,000 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 6,000 hectares of aquatic habitats. Habitats include natural sand dune areas covered with steppe vegetation, planted pine forests, lagoons and marine environments. The climate is continental and semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters. The weather during the expedition is hot (20-40°C) and dry.

The expedition team will split into rotating activities of bird and wolf surveying groups. Bird groups will be based in a summer house near the beach with basic amenities and a cook to prepare all meals. The wolf group will be based in the field in a tent camp with logistical support from the summer house base.

Typical day:
Depending on the type of activity you will be involved in at the time, your typical day will consist of either spending your day at the nets extracting, identifying, measuring, ringing and releasing birds, or carrying out surveying activity of wolves and other vertebrates at day and night from the tent-based wolf camp. Please note that every member of the expedition will be rotated through all activities

Ecological tours

TOUR 020

During the ecotour you will have an excellent opportunity to:

• go for a fascinating car and walking trips to the area of the Upper Tysa river;
• see the upland upper reaches of the Black and White Tysa rivers;
• take part in the walking crossings along the wildest and primeval mountain ranges of the Ukrainian Carpathians - Chornohora and Svydovets;
• subjugate the highest summit of Ukraine - the Hoverla Mountain (2061 m a.s.l.);
• visit the last in Europe areas of virgin forests, come into contact with their diverse endemic flora and fauna;
• enjoy the fresh air and crystal-clear water, test the medicinal power of various mineral springs, admire the thrilling sceneries of the very beautiful mountain landscapes;
• acquaint with the sole in Ukraine Museum of Mountains Ecology and History of Nature Use in the Ukrainian Carpathians;
• visit the geographical centre of Europe and favourite hunting places of Francis Joseph, prince of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy;
• see the historical and cultural sights of the most interesting ethnic region of Ukraine - Hutsulschyna;
• taste the healthy products of the mountain sheep-breeding — vanishing relict trade of our continent;
• acquaint with the ecological movement and nature-protected activity in Ukraine.

The clients of ecotour arrive to Rakhiv and are accomodated in the mountain hotel "Synehirya", located in the most scenic place at an altitude of 800 m a.s.l. From here, for a period of 8 days, the fascinating combined (by transport and walking) one-day trips along the most interesting routes, covering the unique natural and cultural sights of the Upper Tysa area, accompanied by guides, will be conducted.

On the 10th day, members of ecotour leave for homeland.

TOUR 021

During the ecotour you will have an excellent opportunity to:

taste the healthy products of the mountain sheep-breeding — vanishing relict trade of our continent;
 
acquaint with the ecological movement and nature-protected activity in Ukraine.
 

The clients of ecotour arrive to Rakhiv - to the tent camp, located in the most scenic place close by the Centre of Europe. On the arrival - acquaintance with the town of Rakhiv; trips to the Centre of Europe and the Museum of Mountains Ecology in the Carpathian reserve. The next day, a fascinating five days walking route along the Svydovets and Chornohirskyi range, where the unique natural and cultural sights of the Ukrainian Carpathians are concentrated, will start from here.

On the 7th day, members of ecotour leave for homeland.

TOUR 022

During the ecotour you will have an excellent opportunity to:

• go for a fascinating walking trip along the area of the mountain range "Polonyna (pasture) Krasna";
• see the upland upper reaches of the Tereblia river - main tributary of Tysa;
• take part in the walking crossings along the wildest and primeval mountain forests of the Ukrainian Carpathians, come into contact with their diverse endemic flora and fauna;
• subjugate the highest summit of the region - the Menchul Mountain (1501 m a.s.l.);
• visit the karst cave "Molochnyi Kamin (Milky Stone)" - a world-wide known cultural monument of the late paleolith;
• see the unique natural stone arch, known as the Karst Bridge;
• enjoy the fresh air and crystal-clear water, test the medicinal power of various mineral springs, admire the thrilling sceneries of the very beautiful mountain landscapes;
• acquaint with the richest local religious complex, including the ancient cloisters and churches — monuments of the wooden and stone architecture;
• visit the last in Europe outpost of heathenism - a heathen temple of sun-worshippers;
• see the historical and cultural sights of the most interesting ethnic region of Ukraine;
• taste the healthy products of the mountain sheep-breeding — vanishing relict trade of our continent.

The clients of ecotour arrive to the Uholskyi massif of the Carpathian reserve - to the tent camp, located in the most scenic place among the beech virgin forest. On the arrival - acquaintance with the cultural monuments of this most interesting region. The next two days will be devoted to the ascent of the Menchul Mountain (1501 m) accompanied by guide, and fascinating walking route along the rich in natural monuments last in Europe beech virgin forest. The next day members of ecotour leave for homeland.

In May, it is also possible to visit the unique "Valley of Narcissi".