Ruddy Shelduck

(Tadorna ferruginea)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 82-153 pairs (2007: 40-80 pairs)

Distribution pattern

A small population species with isolated breeding sites in Northeastern Bulgaria and in the region of Burgas. Around 1995 there were almost 60 breeding sites, dispersed throughout the country to the northeast from the line Burgas – Ruse. Yet after 1990, most of them gradually disappeared. Since 1996, it has not breed in the region of Varna, sporadically breeds between Silistra, Tutrakan and Dulovo, with the most northeastern breeding site near Kardam, since about 2001 it has not inhabited the Lomovete area. Nests around fishponds near the village of Krusha, Varna District, as well as inland near the towns of Karnobat and Aytos. Pairs during the breeding season have been registered near Harmanli, after active attempts to resettle chicks in neighbouring areas.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: During the period 2013-2020, the species was found in most of the squares where it has been established before the year 2013. There is no confirmation for some of the sites during the period 2013-2018. This applies mainly to the region North of Burgas, as well as in places along the Danube River between Ruse and Silistra. It is possible that in some of these squares the lack of the registered individuals is due to insufficient research. On the other hand, there are 18 new squares in Northeastern Bulgaria with a registered presence of the species during the breeding season. In Southeastern Bulgaria, the species was registered in six new localities – four in the Yambol District and two in the Eastern Rhodopes.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 24-44 pairs (21 % of the population). The highest numbers have been registered in the Special Protection Areas “Emine ‘(9-14 pairs) and “Atanasovsko Lake” (5-7 pairs).

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds in subterranean cavities and mammal passages in steppe and dry calcareous grasslands and dry siliceous grasslands neighbouring with standing fresh waters (including micro-dams and other artificial wetlands), often seen in field crops and other annuals. In some places, build their nests in old holes of Vulpes vulpes and Meles meles, in (inland) crevices or holes in cliffs, including stone quarries.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Threats

Drainage of wetlands, poaching – shooting and catching non-flying chicks for private collections, ploughing pastureland.

Mikhail Iliev, Svilen Cheshmedzhiev, Vladimir Mladenov