Birds of Nalychevo Nature Park

Birds can be heard or observed everywhere in the park, except only on the bare summits of peaks. The variety of natural habitats in the park is home to a wide diversity of bird species.
Altogether, there are 130 species of birds in Nalychevo Park.

The cliffs of the Pacific coast and Krasheninnikov Island are home to numerous colonies of sea birds. Among them are several species of gulls, including slaty-backed gull - the most widespread on Kamchatka, tufted puffin, horned puffin, two species of cormorants, and guillemot. Marine ducks, oldsquaw, greater scaup, and black scoter rest and feed in the bays of the rugged coast.

The most numerous colony of red-necked grebe on Kamchatka inhabits Lake Nalychevo, which is separated from the sea by a narrow spit of land. Here one can also find nests of the black-throated loon and red-breasted merganser. The nest of a pair of Steller's sea-eagles is the most remarkable sight on the lake.
The source of the Nalycheva River is a pleasant place for ornithological excursions. Here one can watch the activities of numerous gulls, hundreds of sandpipers, jaegers, shearwaters, and murrelets. Many birds of prey nesting in the park also fly here to hunt. Among these are osprey, Siberian rough-legged buzzard, Steller's sea-eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, and hobby.

The headwaters of the Nalycheva River, located in the central part of the park, provide the best opportunity to observe the black-billed capercaillie. From the beginning of May to the end of June, up to four male capercaillies can be seen performing mating dances in mornings and evenings near the park's camp. During the day, the birds often wander across the paths between the cabins in search of food and to bathe in the sand. Female capercaillies build their nests in the surrounding forests. In August they show off their offspring to visitors. In September the forests are filled with the capercaillies' mating calls.

In the spring and early summer, one can observe the flight displays of the Indian tree pipit over the tundra. These are the most common representatives of passerines in the park.

Two kinds of cuckoos are plentiful in the park in summer: the common cuckoo and the oriental cuckoo - the Far Eastern variety with a trumpet-like call. Visitors are usually lucky enough to watch the cuckoos' mating displays.
Not far from the camp, a nest of Siberian rough-legged buzzards has been occupied for many years. When the nest is in use, the birds can be seen and observed from afar, as they feel quite at home here even in the presence of people.

Autumn is when large birds of prey migrate through the area. In September one can see Eurasian sparrow hawks, northern goshawks, gyrfalcons, and glorious Siberian gyrfalcons migrating across the central part of the park or stopping for a time to hunt for sparrows or crows.
Eagles and sea-eagles spend five months of winter on the spawning rivers in the central part of the park. Hot springs feeding the rivers keep them from freezing in wintertime, allowing the birds to remain here from the end of October to the end of March. One can observe about 15 birds at once. Young golden eagles are the most prevalent raptors, but Steller's sea-eagles, young and mature white-tailed sea-eagles, and mature golden eagles can also be observed.

Without doubt, golden eagles nest and raise their young in the volcanic ranges surrounding the headwaters of the Nalycheva River. However, while mature birds and their offspring have been observed in the spurs of Skalistaya Mountain and Dzenzur Volcano during nesting season, their actual nests have yet to be found in the mountains of Kamchatka.

The shrub belt ringing volcanoes above the forest zone is habitat to bluethroat, Anadyr Siberian rubythroat, bullfinch, and pine grosbeak. American white-winged scoters raise their young on the alpine Vershinskoye Lake. Broods of the willow and Siberian rock ptarmigans can most certainly be observed in the alpine tundra at summer's end.

Nalychevo Park offers visitors seven ornithological routes through different areas of the park. These tours allow bird-lovers to admire the variety of landscapes in the park, while becoming acquainted with the most common inhabitants.