Central Russia

The Central Russia Federal District is the heartland around Moscow in the west of the country. It consists of the oblasts of Bryansk, Belgorod, Vladmir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kostroma, Kursk, Lipetsk, Moscow, Oryol, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov, Tver, Tula and Yaroslavyl and the Federal City of Moscow.

The total area of this part of Russia is 650,700 square kilometres, with a population of over forty million people, of whom around thirty million live in cities. About half of the population lives in the City of Moscow and its metropolitan area. This is the most developed area of Russia. Occupying less than 4% of Russia’s territory, it is home for a quarter of population of the country. It is on the leading edge in both social and economic development compared to the other seven Federal Districts of Russia.

It has a moderate continental climate and covers several natural zones from North to South – coniferous forest, dense woodlands, forest-steppe and steppe. Areas covered with trees ranges from 60% in the North to 5% in the South. The main terrain type is vast rolling East European Plain with hills of various sizes and heights and flat areas. However, there are swamps in the north and a developed network of rivers (most notably the Volga and the Oka River), lakes and ponds make it rather diverse in habitat and appearance.

Usmanka River, Voronezh Nature Reserve – ©Natalia Filatova CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Nature Reserves abound, suchb as at Losiny Ostrov National Park, Troparevsky Forest Park in Moscow, Central Forest Nature Reserve in Tver Oblast and Voronezh State Nature Biosphere Sanctuary.

Birding Central Russia

The variety of birds in the region largely overlaps with the general avifauna of Europe, but it is more diverse than individual European countries. Because birding is an emerging activity in Russia, and because of controls on visiting some sites, independent travel can be challenging. Birding is not yet greatly developed in this region, in line with Russia in general, either as an individual hobby or as an industry. That is why, for travelling birders it is advisable to find a local person who may assist you in finding your way around, and getting to the birds. There are a few companies that concentrate on other areas, but its worth making enquiries of them as they may suggest local guides.

Wetland near Moscow – ©Svetlana Makarova CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

There are numerous good birding spots around the City of Moscow and in the whole district. Most of them are territories of national parks or nature reserves. However, because of long distances, it is difficult to see a lot in a short period of time. The best season for birding is Spring-Summer (from early May to mid-June), further on, in the summer nesting period birding is less rewarding, but it takes off again in the period of autumn migration (September-October) which creates a fascinating opportunity to observe considerable number of bird species in one day.  Sought-after species include Great-spotted Egle, Siberian Thrush, Siberian Blue Robin, Gray’s Grasshopper Warbler, and Eurasian Golden Oriole.

Smolensk Lake District National Park – ©Denis Bisteinoff CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

If you need to visit Smolensk on business there are several interesting areas to bird. Smolensk Lake (about a mile to the south of the city is a large lake approx 1Km x 2Km. There is a large power station situated on the northern shore. To the south of the lake is a large reed bed, and an adjacent, smaller, more vegetated lake). There are some interesting lakes near Przhevalskoye, and about 50 miles north of Smolensk there are some lakes which are a popular day trip destination for the residents of Smolensk. There is a bus service, and it is possible to stay at several homes by the small town of Przhevalskoye (named after the famous Russian naturalist explorer. The small museum dedicated to him is well worth a visit).

The tiny village of Veyeno, which is about 30 Km east of Smolensk just south of the main Smolensk – Moscow motorway is well worth a visit. Highlights there include: Bittern, White Stork, Golden Eagle, Lesser-spotted Eagle, Montague’s Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Hazel Grouse, Quail, Whiskered Tern, Black Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Citrine Wagtail, Penduline Tit, Nutcracker, Golden Oriole, Common Rosefinch, Savi’s Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Icterine & Booted Warbler to name only a few.

Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve – ©DmitriyGuryanov CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve, which is located 12 km from Serpukhov in Moscow Oblast, is another site with good birding. This 5,000-hectare UNESCO site features pine and mixed forests. It supports more than 140 bird species alongside an iconic European bison nursery.

A site best visited with a professional guide is Oksky State Nature Biosphere Reserve. It is in central Ryazan Oblast, and is a vast wetland and river floodplain that is critical for migrating waterfowl, waders, and raptors.