Distribution of a crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus) in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine

Study Extent

Sampling was made in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, in a transition between East European forest-steppe and Pontic steppe ecoregions (Olson et al., 2001). Previously, crested tit was known only from several localities in pine-dominated forests located on sand river terraces in the central part of the region (Somov, 1897; Volchanetsky, 1954; Vergeles, 1994; Vergeles et al., 1994). Current study covered similar habitats in a wider area to uncover the details of its distribution here, from north-western (closer to the main range) to south-eastern part of the region.

Sampling

Field studies were made between 2014 and 2019. Playback point count method was used: 258 points were visited during the pre-breeding and early breeding season (mid-February–mid-April) when calling activity of birds was highest. The total time of adult calls playbacks and passive listening in each point was 10 minutes. Birds responded from within 100 meters around count point. Each ‘event’ represents one point count. Presence or absence of responding birds is shown in field ‘occurrenceStatus’ and the number of responding birds is shown in fields ‘organismQuantity’. Pine stand origin for each count point (natural or planted) is given in the field ‘fieldNotes’.

Method steps

1. Field counts of birds.
2. Georeferencing and creating the dataset.
3. Organizing of the dataset according to the DarwinCore standards.

The dataset consists of records of one species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Aves
   rank: class
4. Passeriformes
   rank: order
5. Paridae
   rank: family
6. Lophophanes
   rank: genus
7. Lophophanes cristatus
   rank: species

The dataset covers the area of Kharkiv region, eastern Ukraine.