Аннотация:BREEDING BIOLOGY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE ORIENTAL GREAT REED WARBLER ACROCEPHALUS ORIENTALIS (SYLVIIDAE) IN THE SOUTHERN PRIMORYE. I.M. Marova, O.P. Valtchuk, A.S. Opaev, P.V. Kvartalynov, V.V. Ivaniitskii. The social organization, breeding biology and population structures of individually marked Eastern Great Reed Warblers were studied in 2004–2005 at the territory of 3 sq. km in an agricultural landscape of the South Primorye (Russian Far East). Data for the years 2000–2010 on phenology, site tenacity and moult for 410 individuals on the same territory were used. The population occurs in the upland habitats and breeds in the small patches of reeds mixed with the tall herbaceous vegetation and
bushes along the forest edges, river and irrigation channels. 57 nests were found, life history of 63 males and 47 nestlings were tracked. The population density was about 10 males per 1 sq. km, however in high quality habitats (well developed reedbeds along the forest edges) local density reaches 8 territories on 1 ha. The arrival begins in the second decade of May, fi rst-year males arrive in 5–7 days after adults. Early arrived males established the most qualitative territories in the center of dense reed surrounded with high trees. These territories serve as the centers of group settlements in which other males take over their territories as far as arrival progresses. This earlier males succeeded in being
polygamous, while later ones remained monogamous or even bachelor. The majority of nests in both years were placed in clusters including not less than 3 nests. Only about 25% of all nests were placed solitary. The rates of the polygynous males were 21% in 2004 (n=30) and 29% (n = 31) in 2005. Polygynously mated females bred at a higher nesting density (from 8 up to 32 m), aggression between females did not observe. The earliest beginning of a laying – 3.05, most later – 5.07, i.e. duration of the eggs-laying period in the population is 36 days. Males leave their territories by the end of July. The majority of birds fi nish a moult at the last decade of August – fi rst decade of September. Last stages of moult are combined with the beginning of seasonal movements. Autumn departure begins in the end of
August, with a peak on the mid of September. We have not revealed any clear distinctions in breeding success in different years, despite the weather conditions in the two years were different (the fi rst year was rather dry, while the next one was extremely wet). Height of nest position has a signifi cant positive effect on the reproductive success. Breeding success of the Oriental Reed Warblers was strongly affected by social environments. The success of reproduction in grouped nests was signifi cantly higher, than in solitary nests (86.2% in dense settlements, versus 26.6% – in solitary nests). In the South of Russian Far East the distribution of the Oriental Reed Warbler is closely connected with the spread of
agriculture – both historically and in the present time. The studied population shows apparent stability and prospers which are expressed in the large density, high reproductive success (70% in 2004, 82% in 2005) and high level of site tenacity (33%) of the breeding birds.