Birdwatching on the lek is probably one of the most impressive and fascinating wildlife views during the spring season. The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve provides an opportunity to see the lekking of black grouse − unusually beautiful and very elegant birds.
About 16-18 leks are recorded annually in the reserve, and the number of these grouse birds is more than 300 individuals here. In the very center of this specially protected natural area, on a clearing on the Postrezhskoye swamp, there’s a unique black grouse lek. Among the low-growing pines and birches, typical habitats of black grouse, up to 30 red-browed blue-black heath cocks gather annually.
A few years ago, special shelters were installed on this swamp for observing and photographing black grouse. Such shelters harmoniously fit into the surrounding landscape and are located on the edge of the lek, not interrupting the birds during their mating season.
It is also quite convenient for ecotourists to observe all stages of the grouse lek in such hideouts: the arrival of birds, their mating and spectacular fights.
Last Sunday, the first this year admirers of untouched nature witnessed an unforgettable event − black grouse mating. A married couple from Moscow went on an excursion to the black grouse lek as part of a two-day tour into the wild nature "Live Orchestra". The extreme night crossing the raised bog and staying in the hideout for several hours was definitely. This time, the maximum number of males gathered at the lek.
Tourists could hear, see and take pictures not only of black grouse, lapwings, but also of birds included in the Red Book: two white-tailed eagles and a pair of curlews. In addition, the voices of the no less rare golden plover, as well as of other shorebirds and waterfowl on the migration were heard. Hundreds of geese stopped for the night on the Postrezhskoye swamp and the lake of the same name. Our guests from Russia were very pleased with this unique tour.
The next visit to the lek by tourists as part of the two-day tour "Live Orchestra" will take place this Friday. We invite all nature lovers to hear the live orchestra too. All you need is to prepare the appropriate equipment: warm clothes, high rubber boots, a thermos with hot tea, a flashlight, binoculars and a camera. And you also need to be patient enough in order to keep silence in the observation hut for several hours. Become a witness to an unforgettable event, because this amazing miracle of the protected area is a must-see with your own eyes. And hurry up − the period of the "Live Orchestra" tour is limited!
Photos by Alexander Volchek
