Animals and plants under protection: how Moscow parks take care of wildlife
Moscow parks are favorite places of rest for residents and visitors. However, adults and children do not come here only to have fun on the rides. The capital’s green areas are oases in the big city, where people can escape from the hustle and bustle, enjoy nature, watch animals and birds, and study plants.
Moose, squirrels, wild boars, hedgehogs, foxes and hares, as well as many species of birds can all be found in Moscow’s vast natural areas. And the parks also have a wealth of plant life, with more than two thousand species of plants, many of which are listed in the Moscow Red Book of Endangered Species.
On World Wildlife Day, which is celebrated on March 3, we describe how botanists and zoologists in different parks take care of the conservation of flora and fauna, and instill a love of nature in children and adults.
Animal observations, lectures and excursions
During walks on the territory of the Tsaritsyno museum-reserve visitors can see many birds: bullfinches, thrushes, chaffinches, finches, woodpeckers, owls and shelducks. Those who are fond of ornithology, will notice and recognize blue tits, nuthatches, treecreepers, robins, greenfinches, brambling, kinglets and many other birds. Observant visitors may also see foxes, martens, Arctic hares, hedgehogs and moles.
The museum-reserve also has a very wide range of plant life. Lime trees, English oaks, Norwegian maples, European elms and many other tree species can be found here. In spring and summer, visitors admire the flowers and grasses: lungworts, yellow anemones and small periwinkles, to name just a few. Visitors can discover exotic plants in the park’s two greenhouses, which are now home to about three thousand plants of more than 700 species.
Specialists from the Environmental Education Division are engaged in studying biodiversity at Tsaritsyno. The Division forms part of the Museum Education Programs and Tour Services Department. The Division is currently headed by Anna Ponomareva. Its staff are engaged in a wide range of activities. For example, they organize educational tours of the landscaped park and greenhouses for both children and adults. On the walks, the expert guides talk about the plant and animal life, trying to awaken their audience’s interest in and love for nature. In addition, they aim to instill in children and adults a responsible attitude towards animals and plants.
Another activity of the Division is the organization of scientific research in the field of ecology and biology, with the participation of visitors. For example, the museum-reserve organizes birdwatching competitions together with the non-profit partnership Birds and People. This fascinating activity of bird watching is now very popular in many countries around the world. The competition is open to all who wish to participate. To take part, you need binoculars, you should avoid wearing bright colors, and you should bring a camera — even a phone camera will do. The teams’ task is to see as many birds as possible, photograph them and identify them.
In addition, the environmental education sector cooperates with Moscow universities, such as the Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. Students regularly explore the grounds of the museum-reserve and study its flora and fauna. In addition, the staff of the Division organize exchange visits between the specialists working at the park’s greenhouses and those from the botanical garden of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Such meetings between botanists are important for sharing experience and knowledge and mastering new technologies.
In Gorky Park, visitors also have the opportunity to observe numerous animals and birds. You can often see fluffy squirrels in the avenues, the white swans Odetta and Siegfried live in the Golitsynsky pond, and recently tufted ducks returned to the park. These ducks are remarkable for the distinctive plumage on their heads, which resembles a hairstyle, but also for their ability to dive to great depths. Four rabbits and three diamondback pheasants live in comfort in special aviaries near Golitsynsky Pond, and two diamondback pheasants and a peacock live in Neskuchny Garden. All the animals are taken care of here: they are fed and provided with favorable conditions for wintering.
Sparrow Hills is home to more than 150 species of animals and birds, about 200 species of flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees, including some listed in the Moscow Red Book of Endangered Species. Gorky Park is focusing on biodiversity conservation. For this purpose, an environmental development program is being conducted here. As part of this program, special reserves are being created in the territory of Sparrow Hills. These are areas that are difficult for visitors to access and where favorable conditions for animals and birds are being created.
Wildlife is monitored in Gorky Park, and artificial shelters are arranged for birds and bats. The area now includes houses for birds, hollow trees for bats and feeders for squirrels. These always have fresh and wholesome food in them.
Nadezhda Chistyakova, a zoologist and graduate of the Faculty of Biology at Lomonosov Moscow State University, is responsible for this work in the park. Her research interest is bats. She has been studying the structure of the skin glands of bats for many years. Nadezhda Chistyakova also encourages visitors to Gorky Park to go batwatching. In the spring and summer, she organizes Night Watch walks. Everyone is welcome to join them. The schedule of events is published in the Biologist in the Park project section on the Gorky Park website. The zoologist’s duties also include conducting lectures and tours on biological themes for residents of all ages. In addition, Nadezhda Chistyakova organizes squirrel counts and ecological cleanups. She involves volunteers and visitors in these events. Announcements are published on Gorky Park’s website and on social media.
Those who go to Severnoe Tushino Park may see red-breasted goldfinches, woodpeckers, squirrels and hares. This green zone is located in a specially protected natural area. It is home to foxes, weasels, hedgehogs and rare birds such as partridges, long-eared owls, kestrels and yellow wagtails. The staff of this recreation area place a high priority on wildlife conservation. Since 2023, the ecological project Animal World in the Park has been organized here. Specialists participating in the project not only look after rare species of animals and plants, but also take measures to save trees suffering from various forms of damages or defects. To do this, the trunk is first treated with special protective solutions, and then drawings in the form of animals, insects and birds that live in the park are applied to its surface.
The layer of paint provides the damaged wood with additional protection. More than 60 such healing drawings have already appeared in the park. As visitors walk around the park they can try and see them all. In addition, the park staff regularly organize ecological quests for visitors. These are fascinating challenges to find this or that animal or plant, and help to familiarize visitors with the rich animal world of this territory in a playful way. In addition, during these quests, presenters talk about activities to protect the plant and animal life in the Northern Tushino district.
Lessons in respect for nature
In Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, history and wildlife can be found in harmony, with architectural monuments of the 16 th-19 th Centuries alongside protected corners of nature. For example, a section of ancient oak forest has been preserved here. These are the oldest trees on the territory of the museum-reserve and, probably, in the whole of Moscow: the age of the oaks is from 400 to 600 years. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1645–1676) and his son Peter I (1672–1725) walked among them. According to legend, it was here that the future Emperor Peter the Great was taught literacy by his tutor Nikita Zotov. The height of the largest oak tree is 28 meters, and the trunk of the strongest tree is 153 centimeters in girth.
In Kolomenskoye, visitors’ attention is also attracted by the ancient landforms: landslide hills, ravines with steep slopes and floodplain terraces. For example, the floodplain of the Moskva River in the vicinity of the Dyakov settlement has remained virtually untouched by man. The Dyakovsky ravine is a real kingdom for birds. It is a nesting ground for the robin, marsh and reed warblers, spring warbler, nightingale, bluethroat, white wagtail and mallard duck. In addition, great tits, gray crows, hazel, goshawk, sparrowhawk and hobby falcons can be found here.
The museum-reserve also has a wealth of plant life. According to the latest research, 542 plant species have been identified here, 37 of which are included in the Moscow Red Book of Endangered Species, including forest geranium, China pinks, gageas and tufted chrysanthemums.
Young visitors can learn about the natural features of the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve at special tours, which are held regularly. Participants go on a short walk through the historical and natural area. During the talk the children learn about the landscapes of the reserve, their geological history and much more. And they are also given interesting tasks to complete. To find out how to join an exciting and informative tour, click here.
Along the bank of the Yauza River from Yeniseyskaya Street to Menzhinsky Street, a public garden runs along Olonetsky Proezd. The jewel in this garden can rightly be described as a bio-plateau. It is a landscaped and ecologically clean area that is home to swans, geese and ducks of various species. A small pheasant garden is located nearby. In addition, a bird corner has been set up on the Sukhonskaya Street side of the garden. It is home to several peacocks, pheasants, guinea fowl, cockerels, hens and geese. Last year, some new residents arrived — two Australian emus. The birds immediately became favorites of children and adults alike. They enjoy interacting with visitors. The beautiful peacocks are also not averse to posing for photos.
The birds’ health is constantly monitored by specialists. The birds always have water and food, as well as places to hide and rest from the attention of guests. Experts regularly give talks on the park’s plant and animal life. At these events, visitors learn about the rare plants and feathered residents such as swans, ducks and geese. These events are organized for visitors over the age of 16. They are held on Fridays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Admission is free.
Another natural treasure of the capital is Sokolniki Park. It is home to forest animals, and many species of songbirds and waterfowl. Among other rare birds visitors may see willow tits, common cranes, white-backed woodpeckers, gray owls, long-eared owls, corncrake and common kestrel. In addition, there are protected amphibians such as the moor frog and common frog, and reptiles such as the grass snake.
It is noteworthy that Sokolniki is home to forest animals that are rare in big cities, such as moose, brown and red foxes, and beavers. The park also has a collection of unique plants, including Pennsylvania cherry, Amur lilac, Manchurian walnut, fragrant violet and Siberian squill. Quite a few of the trees can be fairly described as ancient, with an average age of 70 years. Numerous squirrel feeders are monitored in the park. Specialists also keep a record of wild birds and tend the plants. Regular events are held to introduce visitors to the nature of Sokolniki Park. You can follow them in the Announcements section of the mos.ru website, as well as on the park’s website.
