Expedition in Danube Biosphere Reserve (Ukraine, 18-20 August 2006)
Southwestern Ukraine is a unique and was poorly studied region in odonatological point of view before. The existence of different biotopes: detla parts of large rivers which feed the Black Sea, small rivers, lakes, saline lagoons (limans) and unique climate conditions specify the high biodiversity of Odonata. Despite of the big number of publications appeared in the last time the availbable information about distribution of Odonata in the region is not available in a form in which it can be used for nature management and an overview important dragonflies areas is lacking.
At the beginning of the project with the title "Guardians of the watershed: Identifying Important Dragonfly Areas in Southwest Ukraine" in Augist 2006 Elena Dyatlova and Vincent Kalkman visited Danube Biosphere Reserve.
Participants of the expedition – Elena Dyatlova (Ukraine) and Vincent Kalkman (the Netherlands)
Observations of Odonata were provided on the bank of Danube river (green station "Pelican", Vilkovo city) and during trips by boats in the different sites of Danube delta (Ermakov island, Taranova kosa, Prorvin islans and Vostochnoe branche (girlo)).
Green station "Pelican" on the bank of Danube river
Map of the Danube Delta . Routes of expeditions
During the expedition in the middle of August 17 species of Odonata were observed which belong to spring-summer-autumnal, summer and summer-autumnal phenological groups.
At the 18th of August on the most "young" part of earth in the Danube delta which was formed by turbid Danube water no more than 10 years ago (Taranov kut, Taranosa kosa) in place where Danube connected with the Sea the mass migration of Aeshna mixta and Sympetrum meridionale was observed.
Mass migration of Aeshna mixta on Taranova kosa
Vincent Kalkman during mass migration of Aeshna mixta
Water meadow on Ermakov island
Vincent Kalkman, Odonata observation on Ermakov island
Vostochnoe branch (girlo), Danube Biosphere Reserve
Taranova kosa , the most "young" part of earth in the Danube delta which was formed by turbid Danube water no more than 10 years ago
Text and photos by Elena Dyatlova
