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Rare Bird Species in the Ecosystems of the "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve
Authors: Victor Sîtnic, Nicolai Romanovici, Victoria Nistreanu, Alina Larion, Natalia Dibolscaia.
The ecosystems of the "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve serve as a crucial hub for avian biodiversity in the Republic of Moldova, offering unique habitats created by a blend of rocky gorges, secondary steppes, and wetlands. This paper presents the findings of recent monitoring efforts aimed at identifying rare bird species within the area, utilizing transect surveys across various phenological cycles. The study highlights the site's importance for both resident and migratory bird populations. Of particular scientific significance, confirmed through field observations, is the breeding success of several large raptors with limited regional distributions.
A notable case is the black kite (Milvus migrans), whose nesting in this area represents a regional ornithological rarity. Its established presence as a breeding bird in the rocky ecosystems underscores the exceptional habitat quality and ecological uniqueness of the Raut Canyon. Concurrently, the study confirms the nesting of the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), an expanding Mediterranean species that finds optimal conditions for chick-rearing along the microhabitats of the rocky slopes.
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Ferestraș mare (Mergus merganser) în zbor în Furceni, Orhei (februarie 2026)
In terms of seasonal dynamics, monitoring highlighted several sporadic sightings that further emphasize the site's biodiversity value. In February 2026, winter visitors were documented along the Raut River, including two male goosanders (Mergus merganser) and ten common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula). Spring migration was marked by sightings of Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus) in late April, reinforcing the area's role as a vital corridor for Circus species. The taxonomic spectrum is rounded out by several other iconic species listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Moldova—most notably the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), whose consistent presence indicates stable trophic conditions in these ecosystems.
This study establishes the need to integrate these findings into future ecosystem management strategies for the reserve, prioritizing the conservation of specific nesting sites and acknowledging the area as a biogeographical refuge for both Mediterranean and northern species. Ongoing monitoring of these unique biotopes is essential, as the nesting of species like Milvus migrans solidifies the reserve's standing as a regional hotspot for avian conservation.
Research activities were carried out under the MSU subprogram 010701 and the project "Protection of Rare Fauna Species and Tourism Regulation in the Rocky Habitats of the 'Orheiul Vechi' Cultural-Natural Reserve," conducted through the small grants scheme "Active Citizens for a Healthy Environment and Green Justice," part of the initiative "Green Justice for a Protected Environment and Sustainable Communities in the Republic of Moldova," implemented by NGO EcoContact with financial support from Sweden.
Published in: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference "Nature, Man, History: Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Approaches," Orheiul Vechi, August 14–16, 2026, pp. 114–115, ISBN 978-5-86654-876-7.
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