2.2. The archipelago ornithofauna
Collection of the FJL ornithofauna data has begun since discovering
of he archipelago by the Austrian expedition In 1873. In the end of
19th beginning of 20th century materials of numerous rusalan and
foreign xpedltlona permitted publishing of more than 40 works
concerning the archipelago birds. In that period southern and
central 'island were Investigated more completely. In 1932
G.P.Gorbunov published a book "Franz osef Land Birds" where he
analysed and generalized all known works on the archipelago
ornithofauna as well as gave his own data collected In 1928-1930.
Later only few works concerning bird fauna of individual Islands
were ublished: of Hooker (Demme, 1934; Belikov, Randla, 1984); of
Rudolph Rutllevskii, 1957); of Zemlya Aleksandry (Parovahchikov,
1962, 1963; Uapenskli, 1972), of Graham-Bell (Tomkovich, 1984,
1985) and generalizing list by S.M.Uapenskii and P.S.Tomkovich
(1986).
Since 1990 regular biological Investigations have been started at
the archipelago. For three field seasons, Russian, Polish and
Norwegian ornithologists collected huge material adding
significantly the available data. At present we have information on
the ornithofauna of 44 islands of 191 (Pig. 32); almost all large
islands were observed. However, it should be mentioned, that 18
Islands (NN 3-5, 7, Q, 13-15, 18, 20-22, 25, 27, 30-32 In figure
32) were Investigated more than 60 years ago.
Pig. 31. Map of the ornithological information on the FJL
archipelago 1 - Zemlya Alekaandry, 2 - Zemlya Georga, 3 - Bell, 4 -
Mabel, 5 - Bruss, 6 - Northbrook, 7 - Eaton, 8 - May, 9 - Newton,
10 - Dead Seal, 11 - Scott-Kelty, 12- Hooker, 13 - Nansen, 14 -
Vilchek 15 - Ogord. 16 - Mac-Kllntock, 17 - Alizher, 18 - Luidgl,
19 - Salabury, 20 - Elisabeth, 21 - Vlnner-Neischtadt, 22 - Kelnj
23 - Jackson, 24 - Karl-Alexander, 25 - Torup, 26 - Rudolph, 27 -
Eva-Llv, 28 - Graham-Bell, 29 - Gull, 30 - Pritchett, 31 - Becker,
32 - Ketlltz, 33 - Hayes, 34 - Fersman, 35 - Brosh, 36 - Koon, 37 -
Newcomb, 38 - Tzigler, 39 - Coal mine, 40 - Peier, 41 - Stolichka,
42 - Lee-Smyth, 43 - Champ, 44 - Zemlya Vllcheka.
81
This part contains the analysis of published data and our own
information which was collected In summer 1992 by Russian-Austrian
expedition of AMill Roskomgirdromet and Austrian Television
(M.V.Gavrilo) and by Marine arctic complex expedition of
Goskomsever of Rusaia at the board of "Ivan Kireer"
(G.M.Tertitzkii, I.V.Pokrovskaya). We also attempted to formulate
the most actual directions of the further investigations.
2.2.1. Faunistlc composition
G.P.Gorbunov (1932) recorded 14 nesting berd species, suggested
nesting of 4 more speciea, and recorded 10 transit species. The
further investigations added list of tarnsit birds; no suggestions
about nesting were conflimed. Thus, at present at the archipelago,
nesting of 14 species is proved, 2 species are recorded during
migrations, 1 species has unknown status, and 24 species are known
to be transit (3 of them presumably) (Table 11).
Table 11 Bird species recorded at Franz Josef Land and their
status
N SPECIES STATUS R2FEHSNGE
1 . Gavla atellata 2 G.orcttca 3 Fulmarua gloalalla 4 Branta
leucopala? 5 B.bernlcla 6 Anaer 'oroahyrhyncftua 7 Cygnua
beiu.lcftH? 8 Somaterta mollaalma 9 Falao ruatlcolua
I 0 logopua mutua II Grua grua 12 Galllnula chloropua 13 Pluvial ta
apricaria
14 Jlrenoria interpera
15 Phaloropua lobatua 16 Oall(3rls fuaclcallia IT Oalldria
inorltlma 18 Calba 19 Stercororlua pontortnus 20 S.paroaitlcua 21
S.longlcou&La
22 lorua .argent atua 23 L.Tvyperboreua 24 L.morinus? 25 Rlaaa
trldactyla
-H-+ f
32
63
Pig. 32. Distribution of Brunnlch's guillemot colonies at Franz
Joaef land.
Pig. 33. Distribution of fulmar colonies at Franz Joaef Land.
84
fig. 34. Distribution of kittiwaJfee colonies at Franz Josef
Land.
Pig. 36. Distribution of little auk colonies at Frana Josef
Land
SS
Fig. 36. Distribution of black guillemot colonies at Franz Josef
Land.
water (the second half of August - beginning of September) la
especially important for guillemots as far as they can not fly yet
In this period. The number and distribution of this species
colonies over FJL do confirms their dependence on the presence of
open water by the rocks. Moat fulmar and guillemot colonies are
situated along the southern border of the archipelago (Figa. 33-35,
tables 12-14), along the stationary polynya (which arises
repeatedly and exist for a long time) as well as in the central
part of the archipelago near points where thawed holes arise
permanently and no coast-ice occur In the end of summer (Abramo?,
Zoobakin, this book). Colonies at Solesbury, loldgl, Jackson
islands are In the most severe conditions; successful breeding
probably takes place there not each year. For example, in 1992
nearby the Brunnich guillemot, colony (the most northern in the
world) at the Byatrov Gape (Jackson Island, 81°19* N) at the
distance of several kilometres fron the shore a 9-degree Ice-cover
was oceurlng during August and beginning of September. In the
August adult guillemots and younglings were observed. The latters
left neats under extremely unfavourable Ice-situation. The death of
fledgelings during fledging may be proposed. At the same time at
the Rublni Rock (Hooker Island) guillemot fledgelings began to
leave the colony on August, 18, 1992 and got open water without any
delay.
The largest fulmar and klttlwake colonies are in the southern and
south-weatem parts of the archipelago. In these regions sea birds
form combined multi-species settlements more often than in other
sites.
Little auk and guillemot distribution (Figs. 35, 36, tables 15-16)
shows that main factor limiting dispersion of these species is
presence of places suitable for nesting. They may use little
polynyas by the shore as well
as at large distance off the colony during feeding. Moreover,
guillemot is low-colonial species searching individual prey
organisms rather than their accumulations. All above-mentioned
peculiarities condition rather low dependence of little auk and
especially, of guillemot on the ice situation by the colony and,
consequently, their wider distribution over the archipelago.
Thus, analysis of the sea bird colonies distribution over PJL
permits to divide three regions:
southern and, partially, central part - with moat favourable ice-
,conditions and the shore landscape moat proper for nesting;
qentral and northern part - with unfavourable ice-conditions but
with landscape proper for nesting;
eastern and north-eastern part - with severe ice-situation and
shore landscape improper for nesting.
The firat region contains largest and multi-species colonies; the
second one has prevalent little colonies of little auk and
guillemot; and singular one-species colonies occur in the third
region.
Data on the total number- of PJI sea birds are based at the
S.M.Uspenskll estimation (1959), and according to his oppinion,
made up: little auk - 500 thousands specimens; Brunnich's guillemot
*• 200 thousands; guillemot - 30 thousands; kittiwake and fulmar' -
20 tiiosands individuals. We consider this estimation to be
over-atated, at least, for Brunnich's guillemot, guillemot and
fulmar, although now some colonies are still unknown. Analysis of
the distribution of the number of the Novaya Zemlya Brunnich's
guillemot population has demonstrated that more than 95% of the
birds nested in colonies with, total number more than 10,000
individuals (they made up 54% of all colonies). At the Spitsbergen
more than 60% of all Brunninch's guillemots nest under similar
conditions (1S3S of colonies). I.e., with moving towards north, the
share of large Brunnich's guillemot colonies is decreasing, but
their role remains very important ss far as more than a half of all
Brunnich's guillemot population is accumulated in these olonies. No
very large (more than 100 thousands individuals) colonies of this
speoies occur at FJI, and, proceeding from the up-to-date data on
the colony distribution, it is difficult to wait their reveling in
future. Supposing that colonies at the Flora cape and at the Rubini
Rock are related to the largest ones, the total number of
Brunnich's guillemots must be not more than 50 thousands
couples.
The proposed high number of guillemot is slso doubtful. For
instance, about 7 thousands guillemots neat in 64 Svalbard colonies
(Mehium, F;jeld, 1987). At the same time to the present moment, at
PJ1 only 40 colonies have been revealed; in sites of the counting
the number was little and made up several dozens Individuals in
each, Most probably, that the total number of this species at the
archipelago doesn't exceed 3-4 thousands couples.
The total fulmar number doesn't probably exceed 2-3 tliousands
couples, as far as 14 colonies are known, and none of them contains
more than several hundreds bird pairs. But we assume that our
results may be very understated. The evaluation of little auk
number is hampered by scanty data on the large colonies.
Other species. Analysis of the other bird species over the
archipelago shows that they also prefer southern and western
islands. Snow bunting, purple sandpiper, arctic skua and glaucous
gull are most widely-distributed. Common eider, arctic tern and
Ivory gull are also distributed over the whole
87
archipelago, but they neat mainly at the little glacier-free
Islands either at separated capes of the large ones. The largest
common eider colony is situated at the Mary Harmsworth Cape (Zemlya
Alekaandry) and the largest ivory gull colony at the Hilly
peninsula (Graham-Bell island). Red-throated diver prefer large and
middle islands with internal reservoirs. Data on the Brent goose
nesting are scanty though it occurs over the whole archipelago.
There la no information on the ptarmigan breeding though all
authors assume the possibility of its nesting.
A great attractivity of little glacier-free islands at the south of
.the archipelago for some species should be mentioned. In 1992 we
have observed Newton Island (1.5-2 km2). 6 bird apecies were met
there: arctic tern, snow bunting, common eider,, purple sandpiper,
arctic and pomarine skua. The first five species nested at the
island, and their total density is about 10 times higher than at
the large islands.
2.2.3. Main purposes of ornithological investigations of Franz
Joaef Land
After generalizing of the available data on FJL avifauna we have to
conclude that, in spite of numerous expeditions visiting the
archipelago, its birds are studied worse than IB other Barents Sea
regions. .We consider that the main purposes of the future
investigation are the follow:
1. Recording of the sea-bird colonies. Specification of species
composition of the known colonies, especially, of the large ones.
Observation of potential nesting places - of coastal rocks.
Creating of the combined data baae on the colonies according to all
aYailable sources.
2. Investigation of sea-bird nesting biology and feeding. Data on
the sea bird feeding In this region are very scanty. They are of
great interest in connection with distribution of some birds at the
border of their possible areal and, also in connection with general
crisis of the Barents Sea ecosystem.
3. Study of the role of sea-bird large colonies in the functioning
of terrestrial and marine ecosystems under extremal
conditions.
4. Study of the biology, distribution and number of rare ivory
gull,Ross1
gull and endemic little auk subspecies A.alle polarta. 5.
Collection of data on terrestrial species, specification of
their
status and distribution.
Table 12. List of Brunnlch'a guillemot colonies at the PJL
(abundance la the number of specimens counted in the colony)
N, flg.2 Site Island Number Reference
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Krauter Cape Grant C. Stevens C. Porbs C. south Konrad C. Flora
C.
Zemlya Georga
? Gorbunov, 1932 ? Gorbunov, 1932 ? Gorbunov, 1932 ? , Gorbunov,
1932 ? Gorbunov, 1932 ? Gorbunov, 1932 5-7 thousands Gavrllo
M,V.
88
8
9
10
11
Mac-Klintock Hooker Lee-Smith.
Richtgofen G. Luidgi Armitidge G. ? . Plaher 0. Salsbury Byatrov G.
Jackson
7 thousands
130
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Bellkov, Randla, 1984 Averintaev
V.G., pers. comm. according to observations of Heis island Polar
Station Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrilo
M.V.
Table 13.
List of fulmar colonies at the FJL (abundance is the number of
specimens counted in the colony)
N, fig. 3
9 10
11
Site
Krauter Cape Grant C. Stevens C. Forbs G.? Konrad C. Rubini Rock
Albert Markam Dillon C.
Fisher C. nunatak to north of Fisher G. between Fisher
Island Number
Zemlya Georga ? ? ? ?
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932
Gorbunov, 1932 Belikov, Randla, 1984 Gorbunov, 1932 Tertitzkli
G.M., Pokrovakayu I.V. Gavrilo M.V. Gavrllo M.V.
Gavrilo M.V. and Mac-Kllntoc G.
12
Gavrllo M.V.
N, fig.4 Site Island Number
Table 14.
Zemlya Georga
Bell Northbrook
3-4
List of
N, fig. 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 a 9 10 11 12
Barents G. Rublni Rock Hooker
Albert Markam C. Rose 0. Lee-Smith
Dillon C. Mac-Klintock
? Ganza C. Zemlya Vllcheka ?
Rods Strait Salsbury Coal Mine Island Brosh
Mill G.?? Jackson Byatrov G. Bam C. Karl-Alexandr
Stolichka Germany G. Rudolph
Site Island
Zal Geograf ov Zemlya Georga Bruce Cape Nanaen C. Nill C. Krauter
C. Zal Grey (west) Grant C. Stevens C. Forba C. . Chads C. south
coast Bell Konrad C. Mabel
250 pairs 200 pairs
Number ( Individuals )
Belikov, Randla, 1984 Rutilevskli, 1957 Averintzev V.G., pers.
comm. according to observations of Heis island Polar Station
Gorbunov, 1932 Averintzev V.G., pera. comm. according t
obaervations of Hela island Polar Station
Tomkovich, 1984 Averlntaev V.G., pera. comm. according t
observations of Hela island Polar Station
Gavrilo M.V.
Gavrilo M.V.
Gavrilo M.V. Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrilo M.V. Gavrilo M.V. Gavrilo M.V.
Rutilevskil, 1957
Table 15.
Uspenskii, 1972 Gorbunov, 1932 Uspenakii, 1972 Gorbunov, 1932
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932
13 14
Vllcheka Scott-Kelty Hooker
south-east Rublni Rock Sedov C. Dolina Molchanya Alb. Markam G.
Ganiilton Str. Nansen Dillon C. Mac-Klintock
Karplnskll C. Tegettgof G. Gull
Frankfrut C.
Ganza C.
Zeml. Vllchsfei ?
Newcomb Fersman
Luidgl Champ
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov. 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Demme,
1934 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Bellkov, Randla, 1984 Gorbunov,
1932 Tertltzkll G.M., Pokrovskaya I.V. Gavrllo M.V. Tertitzkli
G.M., Pokrovskaya I.V. Tertltzkll G.M., Pokrovskaya I.V. Averlntzev
V.G., pers. comm. accordliyj to observations of Heis Island Polar
Station Serov V.M,, pers.comm. Report of the Head of the Hela
Island Polar Station
Gorbunov, 1932 Averlntzev V.G., pers. comm. according to
observations of Heia island Polar Station
Rods Strait Kovaljl 0. Fisher C. nunatak to north of Fisher C.
Between Flaher C.and Mac-Kllntock Mac-Klintock by Brais C. by
western glacier edge Rods Strait Tirol G.
Gelvald C. Golovln C. Gorlsty C. south-east south
Olie C. Steicken 0. Norway C.
Salsbury
Peler
2000 Gavrilo M.V.
800 Gavrllo M.V. ? Gorbunov, 1932 ? Gavrllo M.V.
? Gavrilo M.V. ? , Gavrilo M.V. 2000 Gavrilo M.V.
? Gavrilo M.V. 4-4.5 thous. Gavrilo M.V. ? Gorbunov, 1932 40-50
Gavrilo M.V. 400-600 Gavrllo M.V. ? Gavrilo M.V. ? Gavrilo M.V. ?
Gavrilo M.V. ? Gavrilo M.V. ? Gavrilo M.V. 50,000 Uspenskli,
1972
52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Bystrov 0. Mill C. Gelland G. Felder C. Bam C.
Brorok C. Auk C. Stolbovoy C.
600-800 ? ?
Karl-Alexander ? ?
? 400
Gavrllo M.V. Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrllo
M.V. Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrilo 0.
Table 16.
N, fig
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12
13
14
20 21 22
;,6 Site
Chads C. Bruce G. Nill C. Krauter C. Zal Grey (east) Grant C.
Stevens 0. Forbs G. south Flora C. Dillon G.
Tegettgof C,
Frankrurt G,
•
Hichtgofen C. Fisher C. nunatak to N of Fisher C. between
Fisher
Island Number ( individuals )
40-60
Reference
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932
Gorbunov , 1 932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov , 1932 Tertiyzkii G.M., Pokrovskaya I.V.
Tertit2kll G.M. , Pokrovakaya I.V.
Tertltzkii G.M., Pokrovakaya I.V. Averintzev V.G., pera. comm. ace.
to Heis lal, Polar station data
Demme, 1934 Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Serov V.M., pers.conai.
Report of Head of Heii Isl. Polar Station Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov,
1932 Gavrilo M.V.
Gavrilo M.V. and Mac-Klintock
92
25 Tirol C. Vlner- several Nelachtadt dozens
26 Gelvald Keln ? 27 firosh 90-120 28 Goriaty C. Koon 20 | 29
Golovlna C. 2 30 Stollchka ? 31 Norway 0. Jackson ? 32 Mill C. \ ?
33 Bystrov 0. 80-100 34 Gelland G. ? 35 Felder C. Karl-Alexander ?
36 Bam C. 7 . 37 Torup ..?..
;•
'
•
Gavrllo M.V.
Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrllo M.V. Gavrllo M.V. Gavrllo M.V. Gavrllo M.V.
Gorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrllo M.V. Gavrllo M.V. Gorbunov,
1932 Gavrllo M.V. Gorbunov, 1932
. (jorbunov, 1932 Gorbunov, 1932 Gavrllo M.V.
V
X
93
ACADEMY OP SCIENCES OP RUSSIA KOLA SCIENTIFIC CENTRE NAMED AFTER
S.M.KIROV
MURMANSK MARINE BIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE FRANZ JOSEF LAND (ARCHIPELAGO AND
SHELF)
APATITY 1993