Red book birds arranged a professional photo shoot in Primorye

Rare small spoons became the heroes of the photo shoot in the Far Eastern Marine Reserve in the south of Primorye. Professional photographs captured clusters of rare birds that “eat away” at the reserved sea after returning from wintering. Other representatives of birds also became effective models. The small spoon is one of the rarest birds in the world. The only place in Russia where it nests is the island of Furugelma of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve - the southernmost island of Russia. Not far from it, in the conservation zone of the reserve on the mainland, there are extensive wetlands full of food for birds. It is here that dozens of small spoons stop during the spring migration from wintering sites to nesting sites. Animal photographer Yulia Belyantseva managed to capture more than ten Red Book birds while resting in protected water bodies. Such places serve as spoons of a kind of “dining”: birds explore the water column and the bottom with bizarre beaks in search of fish, shellfish and sea worms.  Small-water ducts in the area of Cape Falshvy are distinguished by a rich ornitofauna. In spring and autumn, dozens of small spoons can be observed here, but only a few of them remain in the nesting reserve. To date, the nests on the island of Furugelma wind about 20 pairs, while from the beginning of zero this figure is gradually increasing. The main nesting sites of the small spoon are the western coasts of China and Korea, said Vasily Gorobeiko, head of the Marine Protection Department of the Land of the Leopard FGBI. The “feathered” models for the photographer were other birds that regain strength after a long flight. Among them are stones and broad-bearings from the duck family, finches related to sparrows. It is worth noting that Land of the Leopard organizes tours for birdwatchers to protected areas, details about this service can be found by calling the tourism department +7 (914) 070-15-39. The Far Eastern Marine Biosphere State Nature Reserve is managed by the Land of the Leopard FSBI. It was created in 1978 to preserve the unique biodiversity of the flora and fauna of Peter the Great Bay. The water area and island areas are protected by state inspectors, scientists study the diversity of wildlife. The material was prepared and provided by the National Park "Land of the Leopard". Photo by Julia Belyantseva.